Leadership can be a lonely and difficult existence – not everyone understands your position, not everyone knows what you have to go through. Especially during the pandemic. In this article I will show you five techniques that will help you take care of yourself and make you feel at the same time resilient, humble, open and able to deal with anything that will stand in your way.
Deal with the Overwhelming
We can all feel overwhelmed sometimes. In the current situation, this feeling of overwhelming can come out of nowhere. It manifests itself as a feeling of drowning, a feeling that we cannot cope with what we do. It often appears when we feel that our image of ourselves – how we perceive ourselves and our capabilities – is threatened. If we feel that something is beyond our capabilities or does not fit into our image of ourselves or our life, we feel overwhelmed.
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Next time you feel overwhelmed, imagine your mind as a vast blue sky—the clouds you see will pass away, but you will remain. Say to yourself, “It will pass”, and then enjoy it when it happens. Keep this vast picture of the blue sky in your mind to remind you that you can handle a lot more difficulties than you think you can. Over time, it can train your mind not to react so quickly to a cloudy feeling of overwhelming.
Get involved in Lifelong Learning
The current situation may mean that you need to learn new things. Remember that your learning ability is an unlimited set of skills that you can constantly invest in, something that you can constantly improve, improve and improve. If you're still investing in yourself, your skills never stop. If you maintain the student's attitude – stay open and willing to learn – you will gain confidence, knowing that you are still learning. Do it consciously, with concentration and on purpose.
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Invest in science with books, audiobooks, courses, articles and conversations. Make yourself a point of honor to learn new ideas to strengthen your knowledge.
Take care of your people
In her book Angela Duckworth (and accompanying TED presentation) “Why passion and resilience are secrets of success” the author identified two things that allow people to be resilient and honest: support and responsibility. In my experience, people leave work and give up situations if they do not feel supported or held accountable. Take care of your people by showing them empathy and compassion; support them and give them responsibility. This is more important than ever.
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Offer support through initiatives on mental health and well-being, bilateral discussions, enable employees to check their health and give them the ability to communicate offline and online. You can ensure responsibility for training, posting, mentoring, additional responsibilities and a positive response to their initiatives.
Deal with fraud syndrome
The fraud syndrome manifests itself as a sense that you are unable to fulfill your role. You're a fraud. Fake. Fraud. What's more, you think you'll be exposed as one.
The fraud syndrome is surprisingly common, especially today when people operate in a different context, with different expectations, and at the same time must conquer their game. The next time you think, “Who am I to do this?
I am not worthy”, ask yourself, “Who am I not?” Someone has to do what you do, be the person you are, it might as well be you. We often forget that many of our gifts, relationships and positive situations at work are not deserved, are the gifts we receive from life. Thank them and be simply grateful for them.
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Remember regularly that someone has to do your job well, and that person is you. Remember that you do not have to earn your role or your gifts, they have been given for free. Focus your energy on delivering high quality results, helping your people and making the best use of gifts from fate.
Take your love for work
There's this wonderful phrase I like to keep close to myself: you're what you love, not what you love. It's easy to define yourself on the basis of what other people think of us, whether they're customers, coworkers, shareholders or close. If they don't like us or what we do, we feel bad.
But the problem with finding confirmation outside ourselves is that we become dependent on others. In our management positions others expect us to set an example, draw from a different place, deeper than fleeting and changing opinions, trends and situations.
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Remember the positive energy and vitality that people and the things you love give you. When you create, when you drive, when you interact with your people, do it from where you are. Remember that this place cannot be destroyed by others, this place of what you love will sustain and nourish you. Visit him regularly and where he includes people, make sure you tell them how much they mean to you.
Study these five technicians and choose your favorite. Get involved in this for a week and see how it helps you. You give your best as a leader; be proud of it. Use these techniques as well as your own habits and routine to take special care of yourself – you are an important person.
About the author
Michael Quigley Preston, UK Michael is a former primary school teacher with a lot of experience in teaching, coaching, leading and membership in the team. He is a published author and regular blogger.
His passion and interest in fitness, well-being and human development led him to build professional courses and personal online development in his Kataholos company. Michael has experience in public speaking, providing services to both the public and private sector at regional, national and international level.
As a permanent speaker for Russell Bedford, one from his most pleasant events was meeting managers and young partners Russell Bedford in 2019 in Malta, during which he gave a program speech and workshops on world-class leadership.