Attending to Ourselves: Resiliency Skills for Leaders
Published in the Human Resource of Calgary Perspective Newsletter - April 2009
"Don’t we all tend to fill up our days with things that just have to be done and then run around desperately trying to do them all, while in the process not really enjoying much of the doing because we are too pressed for time, too rushed, too busy, too anxious?" Jon Kabat-Zinn
We are in a culture where busy becomes a badge of honor, however we can lose ourselves in the process. Kabat-Zinn is a medical doctor and an expert on stress management and recovery after heart attack. He facilitates programs on mindfulness training which he defines as moment to moment awareness.
Leaders face additional pressure with the phenomenon called power stress. They have to be"on" all the time because of the responsibility and visibility of their positions. Power stress can cause a downward cycle in a leader’s general mood and a corresponding drop in leadership performance.
A leader needs to generate positive visions of the future, listen deeply, challenge others and get goals accomplished. If the leader has little energy and is in a negative state of mind due to overwhelming circumstances he or she can’t muster the energy required to do what is needed.
How can a leader ensure their resilience in the face of power stress? One answer is through attending to themselves or moment to moment awareness. If a leader attends to their body signals, thoughts, and feelings they can manage themselves and course correct where needed.When a leader is very tired, he or she may or may not notice or do anything about this. If the stressed state is dealt with leader’s success and performance will improve, otherwise a downward spiral will result.
By having the discipline to attend to themselves leaders can also more readily attend to others and their organizations. When we are stressed our thinking narrows, when we relax our thinking opens up.
Relaxation and rejuvenation allows leaders to be in a healthy state of curiosity about others and their organization. Leaders are better able to be there for others and see what the bigger picture needs of the organization are when they attend to themselves and get needed rejuvenation.
Many leadership development programs require leaders to reflect on their successes and failures with the leadership skills they are developing. Reflection offers a quiet corner of calm and quiet in the busyness of our work and life. When leaders reflect they heighten their awareness and are better able to attend to the situations they face and make necessary changes.
Other resources for leaders include bounce techniques after setbacks, energy generating activities and self-compassion and transformational practices.
Mary-Ann Owens has been conducting stress and resiliency workshops since 1992. She is a leadership development facilitator and executive coach. Mary-Ann has also published a stress and energy workbook for leaders.
Copyright © 1999-2011 Mary-Ann Owens and Associates Inc ::
Tue February 07, 2012