Improve your Leadership effectiveness and Prevent Burnout
In addition to decreased energy and feeling disconnected or cynical, burnout is also characterized by feelings of low accomplishment. Not feeling accomplished is a real and felt experience EVEN when we are effective.
The push to do better, achieve more, to be good enough or to get acknowledged creates more pressure and more work. It becomes a coping to fill a void or to continue to try to validate our worth. This feeling perpetuates a feeling of low energy, and not feeling connected when we hold back in our relationships or we work harder, which is exhausting.
Our belief in our ability to succeed is influenced by past results, feeling relevant, being recognized by others for our contributions, and encouragement and championship specifically from people we can relate to, who inspire us or who’s opinion matters.
When we are feeling effective, (productive, constantly learning, accomplished, successful…whatever word you would use for that feeling) we are energized. When we are energized, we have the capacity to play, be present and to be of service. This shows up mostly through our relationships, our actions, and our involvement. This is a very important component of being fully engaged in our whole lives!
So, how do I be more effective as a leader you ask?...
First, take note of your self-talk. Our minds get stuck on limiting beliefs or negative self-talk. Notice what you are saying to yourself that might be stealing your energy. Shift your language to celebration and acknowledgment of what you are accomplishing rather than criticizing!
Second, figure out if there is something more you need to know. Are there some leadership skills that need to be improved in order to really feel competent, not necessarily at an expert level, just more competent? Get some objective feedback from someone you respect and trust to be real with you. And believe them.
Third, extend trust to others. Ask for help from external resources like teams or subject matter experts to help you reach your goals. Sometimes we simply take on too much. Sometimes we hold on and don’t release trust in others to do what they need to do to be fully capable themselves and to support us.
Fourth, build on your strengths and make sure you have a chance to use them every day. What comes naturally to you? What have you learned from leadership personality assessments that can help you? What feels authentic? What have you always been good at? What do you love?
Fifth, capture your accomplishments. Pretend you are standing on a balcony, looking over all of your experiences, and notice every single thing you’ve accomplished!
Have fun accelerating your sense of accomplishment, your self-efficacy and maximizing your leadership engagement! Let me know in the comments which of these activities is helping you feel more connected and to become a more effective leader. I’d love to hear from you!
Cheers!
Kristen
Categories
All CategoriesStay connected with news and updates!
Kristen Truman-Allen, PhD, MS, RN, PCC
Kristen Truman-Allen is on a mission to ensure that every leader and the people they serve, live a fully engaged and integrated whole life. Kristen brings her experiences as Health Care Administrator, Emergency nurse, Outward Bound expeditionary learning instructor and Organization Development professional into her coaching for executives and formal leaders in organizations. With a PhD in Human Development and a Master’s in Human and Organization Systems, Kristen uses metaphor and intuition in her coaching of organizations and individual leaders to help them have the energy to integrate what’s most important to them. Kristen balances her family of 6, travel adventure, business and play and is passionate about evoking inspiration and impact in our world.