The Current Leadership Dilemma
Organisational leadership has never been more important or complex. While employees like leaders who put the needs of their teams first, these leaders need to mindful to control the emotional toll this has on them.
Leaders need external and internal support to deal with the extra demands put on them due to 21st Century leadership complexities.
Learning practical, evidence-based, mental fitness strategies will safeguard leaders, reduces their risk of suffering from the negative effects of burnout, role overload, certain psychosocial hazards while increasing their energy levels, personal wellbeing, influence, and work-life satisfaction.
3 Elements of Self-Leadership
Lars Sudmann, identified the 3 key elements of self-leadership (self-awareness, self-reflection, self-regulation), which promotes the importance of leading oneself first before going out and leading others. Take a listen to Lars video, and check out our Principal Coaching Psychologist Emily Johnson’s explanation of Self-leadership!
3 Mental Fitness Tools to safeguard leaders
Now that you’ve had a chance to consider Lars key points, we’ve featured three highly effective mental fitness tools below, that is aimed at supporting you to develop the three key self-leadership elements he identified (self-awareness, self-reflection, self-regulation).
Consistently implementing these tools throughout your work day will greatly improve your confidence and control, regardless of your role, and have a positive effect on any team’s performance if you are a leader.
1. Self-awareness – Tool: Leverage Your Character Strengths
Why identify and learn to leverage your character strengths as a leader?
Research shows that understanding and applying your character strengths can help:
- Boost your Confidence & Accomplish Goals
- Increase Happiness and Energy
- Strengthen Relationships & Build Meaning and Purpose
- Manage Problems, Reduce Stress, and Improve Work Performance
Get started and identify your Character Strengths by completing the FREE VIA Character Strengths Survey (FREE 5 minute, evidence-based, survey).
Explore Character Strengths further by freely accessing our related articles below:
CHARACTER STRENGTHS: BENEFITS OF DISCOVERING YOUR TOP 5
2. Self-reflection – Tool – Worry Time
3. Self Regulation – Tool – Mindful Gaps
This practical mental fitness tool has been a game changer for every leader we’ve coached and hundreds of individuals who struggle with excessive work demand and overwhelm.
We call the tool ‘Mindful Gaps’, which we’ve renamed from Andrew Fraser’s concept of ‘The Third Space’ (explained below).
There’s no silver bullets in psychology, but this is!! (Emily Johnson)
Enjoy Healthier leadership
We hope you enjoy implementing these daily mental fitness tools into daily leadership.
There’s no denying that the world of work is becoming increasingly complex. That is why it’s vital to continually seek ways to improve and learn how you can adapt your leadership to suit the ever-changing demands and environment.
If you intend on becoming a better leader, then commit to further developing your self-awareness, self-reflection, self-regulation and overall self-leadership.
Building your mental fitness tool belt in these three domains will help you become a more healthy, highly effective leader who has a more positive influence on others. Contact us to set up a time to explore your training needs with a highly experienced Workplace Psychologist.
