I’m going to let you in on a little secret about Diamond6. Even though the world “leadership” is in our name, we often consider it secondary to a much more important topic: your health and the health of those who work for and with you.
Think about it. Imagine you get sick and are away from work for a week a more. This could have a direct effect on your team and perhaps even your organization. It could be disruptive to day-to-day activities, long-term projects, making that sale, executing an event, or serving your customers properly.
The Rippe Health Assessment study of senior executives found that senior executives are at a higher risk for heart disease and are more inclined to have elevated cholesterol and high blood pressure. It is believed that these risks are higher due to the nature of the executive level job and the long hours that are worked. The study further concluded that 73% of the execs who participated were not active enough and nearly 40% were obese. In response to the result, Dr. James Rippe, the leader of the study said:
“The critical levels of risk factor for heart disease among senior execs effect everyone in the business world from employees to stockholders. And because risk factors multiply each other in relationship to the risk of heart disease… an overweight, inactive senior executive is something that no American company can afford.” - Dr. James Rippe
I think we can all agree that as sick, tired, and stressed leader is not the ideal person to be responsible for a team, organization, or the people who work for them. That is why we believe that taking care of your health is really of the utmost importance.
Now let me take this a step further and tell you that taking care of yourself is really not just about you. It is also about those around you, the people who work for you and with you, as well as your friends and family. You can’t lead others or be there for them if you are sick, tired, and completely stressed out. Now one of the most important ways you can lead others is by example. Actions speak louder than words and this cannot be truer when it comes to your health and self-care habits. When others see you taking care of yourself, it gives them permission to do the same and may even inspire them to take better care of themselves.
Now, I know what you are thinking: “Well, I’m not really a leader in my organization. I just show up, do the nine-to-five, so this really doesn’t pertain to me.”
That is NOT true. A grand title does not a leader make.
If you’re someone who inspires, encourages, or drives action and productivity, you are a leader. If you are the keeper of information, knowledge, and processes at your organization, you are a valuable asset. They need you to show up. Plus, being a role model is not just reserved for those you work with. You are a role mode to your spouse, your children, your parents, your friends, and your community. You’re also a leader to your friends and family.
So here are the three ways you can model self-care at work and at home:
WALK IT OUT
A few years ago, a principal of an elementary school shared with me that walking meetings had made a remarkable difference for her. She was able to achieve a healthy weight and better connect with her staff. She would walk the school track on certain days and invite anyone on her staff to join her if they had something they wanted to discuss or meet about. Sometimes, she even had staff members join who just wanted some fresh air and really had nothing to discuss. So she was giving permission and inspiring others to move more. Plus, the students of her school saw her out and about. Talk about leading by example.
Studies have linked that sitting leads to a greater risk for a variety of cancers as well as type-2 diabetes and more than half of our waking hours are spent sitting. Walking meetings are great way to incorporate movement into your day while still getting work done and getting others motivated to move more.
DRINK UP
Now, I’m talking about water, folks. It seems simple enough but most of us don’t drink enough water throughout the day. My recommendation is to drink half your weight in ounces. So for example, if you weight 150 pounds, you should be drinking 75 ounces of water each day. To get others on board with drinking water, make sure you bring water to meetings or offer a bottle of water to anyone who comes in your office. Make sure your employees get access to clean drinking water by providing a water cooler or a water fountain close by.
LEARN TOGETHER, WORK TOGETHER
The team that learns together, works together. The wonderful part of being in an office setting is that you have built-in teammates. Learning together about health and wellness is a great way to get motivated and consequently hold each other accountable to practicing new self-care habits. It can also foster team-building, compassion, and awareness for one another. So reach out to a local health expert to conduct a ‘Lunch and Learn’ class or bring in a yoga instructor once a week to do a short stretching class. I’ve even heard of some companies bringing in a chair massage therapist just to offer some chair massages (which is actually paid by the employees) but just making it available means that you care.
So now our secret is out— we believe that your health and self-care habits are the key to be an effective and successful leader.
So now, I want to hear from you. What self-care habits do you have that you practice to help you take better care of yourself? What kind of classes or services does your office or organization make available to employees that you found help you take better care of yourself?
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