The Leadership Trait No One Talks About
As he headed into the final semester of his MBA at McMaster University, my husband registered for a Leadership course where the Professor announced on the first day of class that he would tell them the Secret of Leadership....at the end of the semester.
After four months of learning, many discussions and Leadership books read, the final day came. The BIG reveal. What was really the Secret Of Leadership? The Professor announced anti-climatically: PHYSICAL FITNESS.
Leaders needed to be fit.
We all know the general physical health benefits of living a fit life such as maintaining a healthy weight, more energy, and reducing risk of disease, but specifically what does physical fitness have to do with leadership?
In a Harvard Business Review written by Ron Friedman, October 3, 2014 titled Regular Exercise is Part of Your Job ( https://hbr.org/2014/10/regular-exercise-is-part-of-your-job), he highlighted a few not so obvious key benefits of being a fit leader:
1. Mental benefits
Improved concentration, sharper memory, faster learning, prolonged, mental stamina, enhanced creativity, lower stress
How does exercising have mental benefits? The website www.scientificamerican.com reports that "Research shows that when we exercise, blood pressure and blood flow increase everywhere in the body, including the brain. More blood means more energy and oxygen, which makes our brain perform better."
If you've ever went to the gym after work or taken a walk at lunch, you know fitness has a way of clearing the mind. In addition, some highly creative ideas come to you when working out. Something magical happens when the body moves.
Leaders endure many stresses and long days. It makes sense that physical fitness is directly related to high mental function.
2. Better Relationships at Work
Friedman also says "Exercise has also been shown to elevate mood, which has serious implications for workplace performance...having smoother interactions with their colleagues." It makes sense that if we feel better about ourselves, we are in a better head space to connect with others and stay level emotionally.
3. Increased Productivity
Research showed that people who exercised also managed their time more effectively, were more productive and went home feeling more satisfied.
Good Self Care is an essential ingredient of being an effective leader. I call it the Oxygen Mask Theory. Before any flight, the airplane crews reminds you, should the cabin pressure change, an oxygen mask will drop. You are asked to put the mask on before helping someone else. Leaders are charged with a huge responsibility to care for others.
Take care of yourself first
so that you can take care of others.
Good self-care is often an area that gets overlooked because we don't make it a priority. We can make the excuse we are too busy to take care for ourselves, but as good leaders know, what gets scheduled gets done. We all use the excuse that we can't afford the time, but really can you afford not to make fitness a priority?
Leaders need physical and mental
stamina to achieve their goals.
How would being more physically fit help you be a more effective leader?
To your continued growth....
Dana