February 3, 2021
1 Leadership Thought
"How's it going?"
"Good! You?"
"Good!"
Let's be real–more often than not, that typical exchange is a lie. Stress comes from everywhere and you can't just ignore it.
Relationships, finances, illness, traffic, work, food, interpersonal conflict, differing ideology–you name it, it causes stress.
Checking your emotions at the door is a recipe for burnout.
Unseen cancer destroys your body inside-out.
Unresolved marital conflict only goes downhill.
Unhealthy eating leads to worse issues later.
Well-being only comes by addressing issues, not suppressing them. (Share this on Twitter)
Ignoring a teammate's stress–or your own–is never good. Eventually, it'll hinder not only your productivity, but also your literal, physical health. Caring for a person's full well-being needs to be your top priority.
Here are two things you can do to make a person's well-being a priority:
Practice honesty and vulnerability first: Lead out by doing this first. Take a few minutes each morning to think about a more accurate response to, "How's it going?" even if it's just a different one-word answer. In addition, prepare what you want or need from someone. For example, "My morning's been rough since I woke up late and didn't get my usual routine, but I think I'll be okay after this meeting if I just get a few minutes to breathe in my office." This lets others know you're trusting them by being honest as well as giving them clarity on how they should respond to your honesty. Not the best morning for you, but you'll be alright.
Create a rhythm of checking in with people: Keep a regular pulse on others by asking them specific questions regularly–every week or every other week. Ask what their main emotion is, their favorite thing of the past week, how things at home are, etc. Even if it's just for 15 minutes, take intentional time to really check in with someone's well-being.
1 Resource
Ruth Haley Barton on taking the time to turn aside:
"For a leader to take time to turn aside and look is no small thing. In the rush of normal life, we often blow right past the place where God is creating a stir to get our attention. But at the heart of spiritual leadership is the capacity to notice the activity of God so we can join him in it...notice any way that focusing too much on 'the vision' might be hampering your ability to receive the present moment and the gifts it brings. Don't throw out your vision, but take some time to pay attention to your life as it is being given to you right now."
Source: Strengthening the Soul of Your Leadership
1 Question
What new things enter into your field of vision when you just take one step back?