Leading is tough!
You have to juggle all of the constituencies with interest in your business – shareholders, customers, employees, vendors, communities – and the unavoidable conflicts that come with it.
Things got even more complicated with the pandemic and the generalization of working from anywhere, at any time.
I had the ambition to be the best leader possible for my team but had little clue or guidance on doing it.
Yet, with perseverance, trial and error, I ended up shaping a system that works just fine. Here it is, in three simple dimensions:
#1 – Let go.
It is an important nuance between many founders and CEOs. Most founders are typical overachievers and tend to be perfectionists. But perfectionism and extensive responsibilities don’t do well together.
If you wish to be a successful leader, let go of your involvement in all the tiny details. Strive for cohesion and mutual trust.
Perfectionism is the enemy. Excellence is the goal.
#2 – Unplug.
Despite constant solicitations from your life stakeholders, unplugging is paramount if you want to build resilience. I do it daily by creating “me-time” in my schedule. It’s there, just like any other meeting. Whether for a run, meditation, or time with friends, you have to mark it down and commit.
It’s not enough, however. I’ve long learned the benefits of taking time off and truly unplugging. My pre-pandemic Antarctica or Africa travels taught me one important thing: being away for at least two weeks without any connection was the best way to regain perspective and strengthen my vision for the business.
And guess what? My team thrived in my absence, and the world didn’t collapse!
#3 – Be Selective.
Learning to say no can be challenging, but it’s a lifesaver. By limiting your exposure to time-wasters, you can dedicate more of your energy to what truly matters.
First, clarify your priorities – activities or people. From there, you can draw the proper boundaries and dedicate more time to them.
So, trim down any unrewarding activity. And shield yourself from non-constructive or toxic encounters.
By applying these three principles, you will not only become a better leader. You’ll also build a more balanced life and reduce unnecessary stress.
Just like anything, take it one step at a time. Start small and grow from there.
And if you come to a point where you feel stuck, let The Sherpa be your guide!