Wellness and Performance
If asked, many leaders will tell you that leadership is essentially about being able to set a clear vision and persist as you lead yourself and others to meet challenges head-on and arrive at the finish line. Making good health a priority would be an obvious conclusion, right? It’s obvious that doing so would lead to lower stress, provide us with more energy, and enable higher performance in the long run.
Obvious? Maybe not so much….
A study by researchers from the World Health Organization (WHO) found one in four adults worldwide don’t get enough exercise, putting “more than 1.4 billion adults at risk of developing or exacerbating diseases linked to inactivity. Insufficient physical activity is a leading risk factor for non-communicable diseases and has a negative effect on mental health and quality of life.”
Leaders often put work and others first, sacrificing their own wellness and wellbeing in the process. That’s not a good prescription for long-term success, often invites failure, and increases stress and stress-related illnesses.
Considering stress has been classified by the Mayo Clinic as the “health epidemic of the 21st century” we would be wise as leaders to take our health more seriously. Regular exercise is one of the best ways to stay healthy during times of stress, and according to research from the Center for Creative Leadership, executives who are physically fit are more effective leaders than those who aren’t, and are rated significantly higher by their bosses, peers and direct reports on their leadership effectiveness.
Harvard Business Review proclaims, “If You Aspire to Be a Great Leader, Be Present.” I’ll clarify what many make take too literally – being “present” does not mean being chair-bound eight hours a day, spewing orders, micro-managing, or wolfing down fast food between calls. In fact, HBR uses the term present as a reference to mindfulness, which will be a hot topic here at XFL!
For relevant studies, health and exercise tips, or just more great wisdom visit us online at XFLLetter.com