Improving Managerial Health: Tips For Better Self-Care

A stressed boss stresses their team

Right now, everyone’s jobs are hard. I could say that managers' jobs are even harder because they have to look out for their team members’ mental health and their own.
 

It’s easy to dismiss managers’ problems. (After all, they are the boss!) But in today’s environment, all team members deserve empathy, including leaders, as they are navigating immense changes in the workplace. Covid-19 has caused a permanent shift in how organizations operate, we’re entering a down economy, and both leaders and teams are navigating social issues. For many in their careers, it’s never been more stressful to lead.

As an executive coach, I help leaders do their best work. I am not a psychologist, but from my personal experience coaching leaders, I have seen the importance of wellness and mental health. I prioritize this in my coaching. Regardless of industry, when I'm meeting a leader, the first question I ask is, “How is your team, and how are you?” I’m asking because I care and want to know, but also because their well-being is pivotal to their success. You can’t expect a leader to be present, empathetic, and resilient if they’re not taking care of themselves. It’s why flight attendants tell you to secure your oxygen mask before helping those around you: If you can’t help yourself, you can’t support your teams and others.

There are numerous ways leaders can proactively take care of their mental health. First, leaders need to carve out time for themselves. Whether they use the time to work out, read, or plan, they need to hold the time sacred and be intentional about how they use it. There are only so many hours in a day, and when you’re a manager, time is even more precious. Leaders need to treat their personal time as sacrosanct.

If you’re going to carve out time for yourself, you need to set precise hours when you’re unavailable. You need to vocalize the schedule to your team, and you need to stick by it. During your time, you need to refrain from checking emails, texting, or reviewing documents. Focus on the things that will allow you to be your best, whatever that looks like for you!

If you can’t resist the temptation, turn your phone off and lock it in a phone lock box. Thanks to their built-in times, these secure boxes lock your phone away for a set time. They can help even the most anxious executive disconnect.

Next, leaders must understand physical cues that signal they need a mental health break. When I get stressed, my shoulders go to my ears. The second I feel my shoulders hit my ears, I know I need to step away for an hour and reflect, plan, or decompress. Managers should consider how their body signals that they need a wellness check. Pay attention to cues and then deliberately respond to them.

Leaders who struggle to manage their stress should use the resources organizations provide. Decades ago, corporations wouldn’t even think of offering wellness programs. Today, companies provide more wellness benefits than ever before. They offer gyms, therapists, and more. Use the benefits. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Don’t be scared to be honest. If you’re struggling with a part of the job, find out and use the resources available.  

We all need to take care of ourselves, but managers must be aware of how their bad days trickle down to others throughout the organization. Everyone knows a stressed boss stresses their team. Even worse, employees may mirror their managers' behaviors. Few leaders can be their best when they are not taking care of their own health; we can’t expect to make our best decision and drive impact when not at our best. Leaders are more capable of problem-solving when they’re centered. They miss fewer issues among their team and can proactively look for solutions rather than being a reactive firefighter. A healthy boss creates a healthy workplace, and a healthy workplace stimulates business success.

Many leaders struggle to take care of themselves, but in recent months, I’ve been happy to see managers prioritize their mental health. During the holidays, I received few emails or texts from leaders. They were taking the holidays to heart and spending them away from work. They set boundaries, and they respected them.

To staff, leaders’ mental health may seem inconsequential. But for a leader to succeed, we all need to understand the challenges leaders face, and leaders need to give themselves grace and allot time for wellness. It’s hard to lead. So take care of yourself.

Author Bio

Lacey Leone McLaughlin is the President of LLM Consulting Group, Inc. Coaching leaders across all industries, she specializes in teaching management skills to creative talent within entertainment, and has worked across studios and production companies. Connect Lacey Leone McLaughlin