Leadership is Love of Self
Over the last 3 weeks in our Leadership is Love series we have explored: love in service and relationships. Today, we’re focusing on: Leadership is Love of Self. This dimension of leadership isn’t just about self-care; it’s about recognizing and nurturing our own worth as leaders.
As the renowned author and speaker, Brené Brown, wisely said, "You can’t give what you don’t have." To lead others effectively, we first need to take care of ourselves. By embracing self-love, we ensure that we have the strength, clarity, and compassion needed to guide and inspire those around us.
Let me share a personal story. Early in my career, I was constantly pushing myself to the limit, believing that sacrificing my own well-being was part of being a dedicated leader. It wasn’t until I hit a point of exhaustion that I realized the importance of loving myself. I started setting boundaries, investing in my well-being, and practicing mindfulness. This shift didn’t just improve my health—it transformed my leadership. I became more focused, more resilient, and more effective because I was taking better care of myself.
Self-love is essential for leadership because it can deepen our self-awareness, resilience, inspiration and so much more!
Self-Awareness: This is totally at the top of my list, because acknowledging both our strengths and limitations, offers us freedom. We’re no longer bound by either, and that allows us to continue expanding. The more we grow, the more we can grow others.
Resilience: It’s never easy to bounce back from hardships or unexpected surprises that life tests us with, yet, the practice of resilience keeps us determined to mark and find our way. We can use this same practice to lead our teams.
Inspiration: Nothing can inspire us more than learning to be aligned with who we really are and what we are meant to do in this life. That requires a continual commitment to self-love. And, when we live true to who we are and what we are meant for, it inspires others to do the same.
Tips to Cultivate Self-Love as a Leader:
Set Boundaries: The best thing we can learn to say as leaders, is “No”.
Invest in Personal Growth: Never wait for the company to do this for you, make it a practice to take care of this yourself.
Also, ensure that you engage in activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. Whether it’s reading, exercising, or meditating, make time for practices that enhance your well-being.
Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with kindness and patience.. Recognize that mistakes are part of growth and treat yourself with the same understanding and patience you offer others.
Foster Your Spiritual and Educational Journey: Dedicate time to nurturing your spiritual growth and continuing education. This not only enriches your personal development but also broadens your perspective as a leader.
To support your journey toward self-love, we have created a booklet: “14 days of Self-Love Journal Prompts”. Here is a little sneak peek…
Consider these daily journal prompts for the next 4 days:
Day 1: Understanding Self-Love
What does self-love mean to you personally? How can it impact your leadership?
Reflect on a time when you felt most at peace with yourself. What practices or conditions contributed to that feeling?
Day 2: Self-Awareness
List three strengths and three areas for growth. How can recognizing these help you lead more effectively?
How do you currently prioritize self-awareness in your daily routine? What changes can you make to enhance it?
Day 3: Setting Boundaries
What are the most significant boundaries you need to set to maintain your well-being?
How do you currently enforce these boundaries? What improvements can you make?
Day 4: Self-Compassion
Describe a recent mistake or challenge. How can you approach it with self-compassion?
How do you practice self-compassion on a daily basis? What impact does it have on your leadership?
Remember, leading with self-love isn’t selfish; it’s essential. By taking care of ourselves, we’re better equipped to lead with clarity, compassion, and purpose.
Stay tuned for more insights in our “Leadership is…” series. And don’t miss out on our upcoming Masterclass Series this Fall on Leaders Coaching Teams, Navigating Difficult Conversations, and Giving + Receiving Feedback.
Also, join our 12-week Courageous Leadership Challenge to deepen your leadership journey.