As leaders, we strive to maximise our effectiveness, lead at our best, and create a positive impact. A key component in achieving this is understanding and prioritising well-being. Today, I want to delve into why well-being is foundational to effective leadership and share insights from a conversation I had with Anna Eliatamby, a clinical psychologist and workplace well-being expert who has worked with global organisations, including the UN and the NHS.
You can watch or listen to the interview here or read the summary below.
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The Importance of Well-being in Leadership
When we, as leaders, take care of our well-being, we enhance our ability to influence and support our teams positively. Well-being helps us manage stress, make better decisions, and lead authentically. It also fosters a healthier work environment that benefits everyone involved, from our stakeholders to our families.
Introducing Anna Eliatamby
Anna Eliatamby is a seasoned professional in the field of mental health and workplace well-being. Her expertise spans various global initiatives, and she has made significant contributions to developing mental health strategies for organisations like the UN, the International Red Cross, and PwC. Her experience provides valuable lessons on how leaders can foster well-being within themselves and their teams.
Common Pitfalls in Leadership Well-being
One of the major pitfalls for leaders is forgetting their own humanity. Often, leaders fall into the trap of automatic behaviours, overworking, and neglecting their own needs. This lack of self-awareness can lead to destructive habits, emotional suppression, and toxic behaviours. Leaders need to recognise their importance, take breaks, delegate tasks, and engage in self-care.
The Impact of Personal Habits on Leadership
Our personal habits directly impact our well-being and, consequently, our leadership effectiveness. Unhealthy habits, such as excessive caffeine intake and poor diet, can degrade our well-being. Maintaining a balanced diet and avoiding addictive substances can help us stay physically and mentally healthy.
Qualities of a Happy, Healthy Leader
A happy, healthy leader is someone who is kind to themselves and remains authentic. This authenticity involves staying true to one’s values and background, maintaining quality relationships, managing emotions, and sticking to a plan for well-being. These qualities help leaders cope with stress and become more effective.
Strategies for Managing Stress
Managing stress involves understanding our triggers and learning how to breathe properly. It's crucial to identify where in our bodies we hold stress and perform regular body checks. Simple relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and shoulder relaxation, can help us manage stress before important meetings or presentations. Additionally, taking regular breaks and ensuring we switch off from work periodically can significantly improve our well-being.
Creating Effective Well-being Programs
For organisations looking to implement well-being programs, it’s essential to address both individual and organisational issues. Listening to employees' needs and incorporating their input into well-being initiatives increases the likelihood of these programs being utilised. Introducing self-care plans during employee induction and appraisal processes can also embed a culture of well-being into the organisation.
Addressing Toxicity in the Workplace
Acknowledging and addressing toxicity is vital for fostering a healthy work environment. This involves recognising inappropriate behaviours, supporting the survivors of these behaviours, and giving perpetrators the chance to change. Building a culture of psychological safety at the team level is also crucial.
Conclusion and Contact Information
In our journey as leaders, prioritising well-being is not just about personal health but also about creating a conducive environment for our teams to thrive. If you would like to explore more on this topic or need resources for developing well-being strategies, you can visit healthyleadership.world. We have resources available, including free e-books on coping in a toxic environment and managing toxic work behaviours, which can be very useful.
I hope you found these insights valuable and are inspired to embed well-being into your leadership practices.