10 Things Great Leaders Do Differently: Take Care of Themselves

Self-care is an interesting subject among leaders.  Many want their team to have it.  To balance their life, even encouraging time off.

But unfortunately while espousing a balanced life, those same leaders work 55 to 70 hours a week and live at work.

Dr. Steve Buuck works very hard.  He has to.  As the CEO of the largest private school in Nevada, he really doesn’t have much choice.  Work, donors, athletics, arts, sciences and activities of all sizes and shapes keep him hopping all week with little break during the summer.

But Steve also takes care of himself.  He is no gym rat but he bikes, golfs and walks with his wife.  He is in pretty good physical shape for the work rigor he puts himself through.  But physical activity is only part of the story with Dr. Buuck.

Steve feeds his mind, emotions and his soul frequently.  That becomes of greater care value than the bike rides through the National Recreation Area.  He learns constantly and hones his craft through courses and reading.  He feeds his emotional composition through intentional time with family and complete detachment from the working world.

The spiritual feeding is something often neglected in many leaders but not with Steve.  He is a man of God.  Has been all his life.  His relationship with God is of utmost important to him and he takes care of that daily.  This growth becomes every bit as important as an annual executive physical and cholesterol count.

Effective leaders, like Dr. Buuck, use a holistic approach to self-care.  It is not just working out.  It is not just rest.  It is not just family.  It is not just learning.  It is not just spiritual enrichment.  It is all of those.  All of those and done in doses every day.  A misalignment in these areas is as bad as being a workaholic.

To add a little self-care to your leadership routine, consider:

  1. Spend some time each morning, not reading email but either reading about or connecting with your spiritual life.
  2. Schedule time and activities that serve your physical side. A sports league is great because they take care of the scheduling for you.
  3. Don’t forget the care and feeding of your family and friends. They came with you to the prom and will need a ride home as well.
  4. Close your day with some reading or writing. A great habit that cares for your mind.
Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.