The Benefits of Selfishness.

While it would seem selfishness is an unfavorable trait in a leader, it might be quite the opposite. How can you expect to take care of others if you aren’t taking care of yourself? Leading is serio

us business and it takes a great deal of energy, time and enthusiasm, among other things, to do it well. If as a leader, you do not carefully and even selfishly, manage your time and state of mind, you are likely to fail or burnout. On the other hand, if as a leader you thoughtfully guard your time, take responsibility for the care of your feelings, and appropriately renew and recharge, it benefits not only you, but everyone around you.

I hear too many executives, owners and managers talk with pride about how they haven’t gone on vacation in years as a measure of their dedication. I find this so out of balance. Leadership can’t just be about taking your company to the top, it’s your life in the process too. Without balance, which yes, means room for family and personal time and yes, vacations too, even the best leaders get overtaxed and burned out. When you as a leader take care of yourself, it is easier to cultivate the gratitude, goodwill, command and enthusiasm needed to steer your organization to success.

What are important self care measures for leaders? I think travel and time off rank pretty high. Not only does travel give you a break from the daily grind, it can open your eyes to new ways of doing things. At a slower pace, you can often tap into a certain level of problem solving and creative thinking that can be harder to access when you go, go go. Travel recharges your batteries in a way nothing else can. Likewise, if you have a family, you must make time for being a leader at home too. A leader bolstered by the love and respect of his or her partner and children has the emotional support and fuel required to go the distance.

As a leader, you don’t have to put your needs first but they do have to make the list. It’s kind of like the plane boarding announcement that tells you to put your own oxygen mask on before helping others. Take care of yourself and you will be in a much stronger and better position to encourage and drive others.