The #1 Skill Every Leader Needs

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Welcome to the Tuesday Trailblazer, my weekly newsletter delivering actionable advice from my personal experiences in 15+ years of people and business leadership.

Today’s insights;

• Why self-care is crucial for effective leadership.

• Enhance your ability to support and lead others.

• Practical strategies to integrate daily self-care habits

• Benefits of self-care for personal and professional growth.

Last week I presented a LIVINWell at a high school for year 8 students.

For almost 4 years now, I’ve been able to go all over Australia presenting this amazing mental health program in schools, workplaces, sporting clubs and community groups.

No matter how many of these I do, I often find myself feeling the same way at end of the sessions…

Grateful - Thankful for the opportunity I have to empower each person in the room. This work is so rewarding, and I'm lucky to do it.

Sad - At how little people know about getting mental health support. The lack of awareness there is around mental health support scares me, whilst at the same time brings great power to what we do.

Students, employees will usually come up to me afterwards whilst I am packing up my laptop, cables etc.

Conversations usually start with a "Thank you" or "I really needed to hear this."

You never truly realise the impact you have as a speaker until these moments.
I never take them for granted.

This time, a teacher approached me.

He shared with me that his Mum passed 3 years ago.
He got very emotional talking about how it impacted him and his sister.

He told me he’d been struggling but until today had no idea why.

He’d spent the last 3 years prioritising everyone else.
It had taken a toll on him that he said at times felt unbearable.

That was when he said he wished he knew earlier about the
importance of one key thing I teach in this program…

Self-care is the #1 care.

The teacher's raw emotion and regret over neglecting self care was heartbreaking. His story starkly highlights why self care education is so crucial - before it's too late.

Self care isn’t a “fancy buzzword”.

The reality is,
You can’t pour from an empty cup.

Leadership is about guiding and supporting others, but to do this effectively, you must first take care of yourself.

Research from the National Library Of Medicine shows that leaders who prioritise self-care are more resilient, better at managing stress, and more effective in their roles.

Meaning greater IMPACT on the lives of others.

Prioritising your wellbeing is not selfish; it's essential for sustainable leadership.

Many leaders fall into the trap of neglecting their own needs, thinking that putting others first is the hallmark of good leadership.

They fail to understand that when you are at your best, you’re better equipped to play your role to the best of your ability.

As leaders, we need to recognise one of the most important roles we play is to provide and support an environment for our team that empowers them to thrive.

It’s time to set the tone as leaders who prioritises the wellbeing of themselves and their team by putting themselves first.

To ensure that self-care becomes your #1 care, integrate these strategies into your daily routine:

• Schedule Downtime: Make self-care a non-negotiable part of your schedule. Set aside time each day for activities that recharge you, such as reading, exercising, or meditating.

• Practice Mindfulness: Incorporate mindfulness practices like meditation or deep breathing exercises to help manage stress and maintain focus.

• Set Boundaries: Learn to say no and protect your personal time. This allows you to rest and rejuvenate, ensuring you have the energy to lead effectively.

• Seek Support: Surround yourself with a support network of friends, family, or mentors who encourage and support your self-care efforts.

But how do we put the above into practice?

This 4-Day Challenge is designed to ignite your impact, transforming how you approach and resolve conflicts. It's about leading by example, pioneering new paths in communication, and creating a team culture where every challenge is met with courage and collaboration.

Here’s this weeks challenge, Trailblazers.

• Day 1: Identify Self-Care Activities - Make a list of activities that help you relax and recharge. Schedule at least one activity for each day this week.

• Day 2: Implement Mindfulness - Start your day with a 10-minute mindfulness exercise. Notice how it impacts your mood and productivity.

• Day 3: Set Boundaries - Identify one area where you need to set a boundary. Communicate this boundary clearly to your team or family.

• Day 4: Reflect and Adjust - Reflect on the past three days. What worked well? What didn't? Adjust your self-care routine as needed to better support your well-being.

Prioritising self-care is not just a luxury; it's a necessity for effective leadership.

By taking care of yourself, you equip yourself with the energy, resilience, and clarity needed to lead and support others.

Remember, you can't lead others effectively if you don't lead yourself first.

Make self-care your #1 care and watch your leadership—and your life—transform.

Lead on, Trailblazers!

Until next Tuesday,

I have built and led teams across 3 successful businesses and have over 15 years of people and business leadership experience.

Over the past 4 years, I have grown my business working with “busy” leaders across multiple companies helping them igniting their impact and leadership both at work and at home.

Without abandoning their ambition.

Let me share my insights and help you:

• Reclaim your time

• Prioritise your wellbeing

• Achieve work/life harmony

• Improve customer centricity

• Connect & elevate team culture

• Develop beyond busy leadership skills

• Build your business bench and succession planning

Book A 45 minute “Beyond Busy Mentor” Meeting Here

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