Will You Prioritize Yourself? The Necessity of Self-Care, Especially for Leaders

John J Masse -

One of my current habits is to ask people,

"What are you doing for yourself?"

The response is often a surprised pause, then

"...well, I meant to take care of myself... I had good habits, but now I just don't have time." It's all too easy to find excuses for letting our own well-being slide.

Many of us don't grasp the profound value of self-care. We think, "If I can just get up and go, that's good enough." We forget that to thrive truly, we need energy, patience, and a clear mindset. These qualities are especially critical for leaders whose days are a whirlwind of complex problems, tight deadlines, and interpersonal conflicts.

Leaders need health and vitality to stay sharp. Yet even in leadership positions, we tend to be self-sacrificing and neglect our needs. The misconception is that investing in ourselves takes away from work. However, the opposite is true! A healthy, balanced leader amplifies their work and has far more to offer those they lead.

Prioritizing Yourself IS Prioritizing Others

If you want to find a path toward better self-care, shift your perspective. See taking time for your well-being as an investment in the people around you. Here's why this mindset is essential for leaders:

  • Optimal Performance: When you're physically and mentally well, your decision-making, problem-solving, and strategic thinking are all enhanced.
  • Resilience and Stress Tolerance: Self-care enables you to tackle challenges and setbacks with clarity rather than burnout.
  • Modeling Positive Behaviors: Your commitment to self-care sets a powerful example for your teams, encouraging them to do the same.
  • Greater Capacity: A leader running on empty cannot give their best. Caring for yourself creates the resources to mentor, guide, and support others.

You wouldn't send a starving hunter into the jungle to feed your tribe. The same principle applies to your well-being.

The Bottom Line

It's time to rethink self-care, especially in leadership. It's not selfish. It's smart. When you prioritize yourself, you become a stronger, more effective leader. Your people – and your performance – benefit directly from this investment.