The Lynchpin of Effective Leadership – Personal Sustainability - April 2008
If you're going to lead the way…you'll need your energy and stamina to do so…
If you are going to lead the way, you're going to need some tools to support you on your path. According to executive coach Cavanaugh, "Personal sustainability of the leader is crucial. It is the lynchpin of effective leadership..."
What is personal sustainability? "Some executive coaching experts call it 'self-care.' I define it as doing things that bring your self alive, nurture your body and soul and give you more joy, energy, stamina and OOMPH, so you CAN engage again and again, making the impact you want in your life and organization," writes Cavanaugh.
Why should busy executives promote personal sustainability with their organizations? To help avoid the sky-rocketing costs of healthcare care, "today's effective leadership has the opportunity to create a future culture that nurtures and reveres self care," she envisions.
And what would be the return on investing in personal sustainability on a corporate level? Cavanaugh asks her readers to "observe the impact of individuals practicing work/life balance .
- There is more "space" from which to lead.
- They can do the work of twelve hours in eight because they're present, clear-minded and energized.
- Their engagement is full-force, vs. surviving through the day at half-force making foggy decisions resulting in extra work for others and lower productivity for themselves."
In upcoming articles, Cavanaugh will address additional strategies, as well as tips on smart ways for executives to become more fully engaged in every aspect of their lives – at work and at home.