Humility in Leadership: Fostering Resiliency and How I Moved Beyond Workaholism
As someone who spent years entrenched in the grind early on in my career, I know firsthand the toll that constant work can take on your mental and physical health.
In my former life as a workaholic, I believed that the harder I worked, the better leader I would be. But the truth is, the more I pushed, the more I lost sight of what really mattered: resilience, well-being, and authentic leadership.
The Journey from Burnout to Resilience
Resilience isn’t just about bouncing back—it’s about thriving in the face of adversity. For me, the turning point came when I realized that being “always on” wasn’t sustainable. I started paying the consequence – losing valuable “credit” with family and friends.
I needed to build my resilience, not just to survive but to lead effectively. So, I began to incorporate small but powerful practices into my life—like weekend recharges, mindful breaks, and setting boundaries.
According to research, resilient leaders are 3.5 times more likely to be engaged at work and experience 60% less burnout compared to their less resilient peers . These stats aren’t just numbers—they’re a clear signal that resilience directly impacts your ability to lead effectively and sustain high performance over the long term.
Practical Tips to Build and Foster Resilience
1. Prioritize Self-Care: Whether it’s taking time for a weekend recharge or practicing mindfulness, make self-care non-negotiable. This not only replenishes your energy but also sharpens your decision-making and creativity.
2. Set Boundaries: Protect your time and energy. Learning to say “no” is crucial in preventing burnout and maintaining your well-being. And possibly the most powerful thing I had to learn, was the ability to say no to crazy deadlines, or expectations. (Of course, how you say no is key, and I will share that in future posts.)
3. Encourage Team Resilience: Resilient teams are more innovative, adaptable, and better at problem-solving. Encourage your team to take breaks, and lead by example in setting boundaries. This helps in reducing turnover and boosting team morale.
4. Reflect and Learn: After each setback, take time to reflect on what you’ve learned. This not only strengthens your resilience but also builds your confidence in navigating future challenges.
So, how do you recharge? What practices help you lead with resilience? And if you’re ready to dive deeper into authentic leadership, stay tuned for more details on my upcoming Fall course.
If you haven’t seen me on LinkedIn, check me out at: http://linkedin.com/in/barbwasilewski and join the resilience challenge.
Looking Ahead: A Course on Authentic Leadership
As we roll into the Fall, I’m excited to share that I’m developing a 9-week course on authentic leadership specifically for new and aspiring leaders in healthcare, government and not for profit. More info on topics, dates, etc to come.
If you’ve found value in this post, I encourage you to share it with others who might benefit and invite them to join my blog. Let’s continue to build resilience together, leading with authenticity and strength.
Till next week. And keep SHiNEing.
Email: SHiNE_Workbook@shaw.ca
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