Tips For Building Resilience as a Leader

Kevin Mauermann

It might seem simple at first glance: You’re inspiring others to move with you. But, despite the obvious appeal, leadership is hard.

The rise of burnout among executive decision-makers is largely due to the pandemic, which has contributed to the number of CEOs leaving their positions in the last quarter of 2021.

Being a leader can consume a person’s physical, emotional, and spiritual energy. There are various ways to build resilience to avoid burnout.

BE AWARE OF YOUR PERSONAL RESOURCES

Being aware of your energy levels is a must for successful leadership. Having the proper amount of fuel is also a must to avoid running out of energy. It’s important to be aware of when to recharge and how fast to drive to avoid getting stranded in the middle of nowhere.

For different people, different ways to fuel up can vary. Some people prefer to read at home, while others are more inclined to socialize and travel.

One thing that’s important to keep in mind is that focusing on quality over quantity is also a must. If you’re not sure how much time you have to recharge, make sure that it’s completely dedicated to yourself. Don’t wait until you’re stuck on the side of the road.

MAINTAIN HEALTHY STRESS LEVELS

Leadership is a stressful job. It’s not rare to experience any curveballs, and failure to manage them can make it impossible to perform at optimal levels.

To combat stress, it’s important to regularly practice self-care. For instance, I try to take a walk outside in the middle of my day to reset my nervous system.

It’s also important to take a planned approach to taking time off.

Before you leave, ask yourself if the vacation will provide you with the energy or if it will take away from your relationships.

Be careful when planning trips that involve family and child-care issues. Also, set boundaries when it comes to checking in with work. Only 7% of senior leaders unplug completely while on vacation.

BE AWARE OF YOUR TEAM’S RESOURCES

People come to work with varying backgrounds and personalities. As leaders, our goal is to bring these individuals together to work towards a shared mission. However, managing these diverse groups is harder said than done.

To make sure that everyone is on the same page, start by setting clear expectations. After all, if we’re going to hold them accountable for their performance, they must have a full understanding of what’s expected of them.

It’s also important to model what we expect from our team and how to manage stress. If we do not have this capability, then our employees may not have the same resilience.

Leaders must keep their focus and commitment to the organization regardless of the challenges that may occur. Some may be predictable, while others are unpredictable. Being a leader can be exhausting, and if we’re not careful, burnout or derailing can prevent us from reaching our goals.

Developing a strategy to manage stress and keep energy levels up will help keep you on track.

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