As John Maxwell often says, “Everyone deserves to be led well.”
What does it take to lead people well? Arguably, it takes a leader who IS well! Enter the concept of “holistic leadership”.
A holistic leader focuses on the own growth, development and wellbeing of both themselves and those they lead. If you think about it, taking the entire human being into consideration as a leader should be obvious and logical.
If you want to be at your best in a work environment, the idea of “checking everything else at the door” is completely asinine. The “you” that shows up in the workplace brings along any biological, psychological and even spiritual aspects of yourself as a human being. No matter how hard you try, those will always have an impact or influence on all aspects of your life…including your professional life.
So if you want to be the best leader you can be, and help your team to be the best they can be, shouldn’t the focus be on the WHOLE person, not just the leader or employee?
Employee wellness initiatives have become much more common in the workplace, but the benefits go beyond mitigating the inevitable health insurance premium increases. Physically healthy leaders and employees are more productive at work, AND can lead more fulfilling lives outside of work.
Creating a psychologically safe workplace is also key to supporting the WHOLE person. People who feel they can express their opinions, take reasonable risks and be themselves are again more productive in the workplace and more fulfilled outside of work. As a leader, focusing on managing your own stress and mental health is key to helping those you lead to do the same.
Having a sense of purpose is foundational to human beings’ emotional/mental health. As a leader, you should be able to clearly articulate core values and ensure your employees can connect with those values in their daily work. Make time in your organization for people to get involved with the community as well.
Taking a holistic approach to leadership means taking care of yourself first, so you can take care of those in your charge – the ability to prioritize self care is a strength! Top-performing athletes have a whole team surrounding them to make sure they are at their best. If you want to be an optimal leader, consider building a self-care team. Depending on your needs, this could include:
- Traditional medical professionals
- Leadership coaches
- Massage therapists
- Yoga, reiki, meditation healing arts professionals
- Spiritual leaders
- Counselors/therapists
- Physical trainers
- Specific sports instructors
- And more!