Perhaps you have read Stephen Covey’s book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. In this book, he identifies 7 key elements that all highly effective people have.
Be proactive: Focus and act on what you can control and influence instead of what you can’t.
Start with the end in mind: Define clear measures of success and a plan to achieve them.
Put first things first: Prioritize and achieve your most important goals instead of constantly reacting to urgencies.
Think win-win: Collaborate more effectively by building high-trust relationships.
Seek first to understand, then to be understood: Influence others by developing a deep understanding of their needs and perspectives.
Synergize: Develop innovative solutions that leverage differences and satisfy all key stakeholders.
Sharpen the saw: Increase motivation, energy, and work/life balance by making time for renewing activities.
From my experience in working with Executive Leadership, I’d like to talk about Sharpening the Saw in regards to leadership having a wellness protocol. It means having a balanced program for self-renewal in the four areas of your life: physical, social/emotional, mental, and spiritual.
I have found in my own life, as well as from clients, friends, family, and mentors that having a set practice for wellness (nutrition, exercise, rest, stress management, family time, and faith) allows me to be my best when serving in a leadership role. Here are just a few quick resources for you beyond Stephen’s book.
Physical
The Center for Creative Leadership says this, “Not only do people gain huge health benefits when they exercise but, according to our research, executives who are physically fit are also considered to be more effective leaders than those who aren’t.”
Social/Emotional
Leadership can be demanding on your time but in our world today, there are some things working for you in that some companies are offering alternative work solutions that help executives balance all their demands in life.
Mental
Mental health is a hot topic today. Ben Brearly wrote, “Good mental health is important for everyone. However, leaders play an important role in safeguarding the mental health of people in the workplace.”
Faith
Faith is a personal choice. David Seward, Founder, and Chairman, of World Wide Technology and Kingdom Capital, said, “Faith keeps us on the right path. When times are tough, it’s our faith in God that sustains us. When we’re restless, our faith will signal if it’s time to move on to new challenges. As leaders, knowing that faith has guided us through good times and bad, we owe it to ourselves and each other to celebrate our success. We do this when we tell stories and come together as a group, knowing that every win is through collective effort.”
So in agreement with Mr. Covey, there are 7 keys to Highly Effective People but a leader must also have a wellness protocol in place to help him/her perform at their best.
Stratengy is here to help you navigate being a great leader in today’s world. Reach out to us today to learn how we can help you and your team be more engaged, collaborative, and productive.
