H.E.L.P. for Leaders
Being a leader can be a hard and sometimes thankless job. Here are some of the reasons why:
- Expectations come from all fronts: boss’s needs, subordinate’s demands, peer requests and you try not to let any of them down.
- Problem-solving, putting out fires and unexpected priority shifts consume eight of the 10-12 hour days.
- Career needs, along with your personal desire to grow, results in committee assignments, training programs, and ad hoc projects teams.
- If that wasn’t bad enough, humans are complex. As a leader, people come to you with various needs, demands and personality styles which places more pressures on your leadership skills.
It’s no wonder leaders may leave work feeling exhausted. Yet, being a good leader can be very rewarding and can have a significant impact on an organization’s success. Here are a few strategies to H.E.L.P. you be successful as a leader.
Humility – Suppress ego and practice humility. Don’t try to be the superstar. Delegate, teach and help other people shine. Be willing to share the credit and be open to different approaches. Be cautious to think that because you are the leader you have the best answer. Equip others and you will multiply talent. By cultivating stronger talent, you will have more control of your time.
Energy – In order to bring energy to your job, you need to generate energy in your life. There are some basic things to consider here. Proper rest, exercise and nutrition. Leaders recognize that by taking care of themselves first, they have more energy to bring to others. These factors also contribute to having clarity of thought and a positive outlook.
Life Balance – Consider when and how to say “no”. Maintaining a healthy work and life balance is important to personal well-being and happiness. Sustained 10-12 hour work shifts are unhealthy and can lead to burnout and physical harm. Make sure to integrate fun into your life and put energy into things outside of work – family, friends, and hobbies.
Planning – Good planning and time management techniques can help create order and discipline. Block out time every day to set goals and establish a daily direction. By spending focused time proactively charting the course, less time will be spent in reactive, fire-fighting mode.
Finding ways to H.E.L.P yourself as a leader will create a more fulfilling role for you and demonstrate a better example for others to follow.
