The 4 Facets of Holistic Leadership<\/h2>\n
Like a button that relies on all 4 holes to secure it, those who take a holistic leadership approach find strength from weaving together 4 key facets of their lives:<\/strong><\/p>\n Now, we admit the button metaphor isn\u2019t a perfect one. If you were to design a button to represent your own life \u2014 one hole for self, one for family, one for career, and one for community \u2014 it\u2019s unlikely that each hole would be the exact same size. Unlike buttonholes, which are identical and symmetrical, in reality, these 4 facets of your life may be in flux or vary in proportion, especially over the course of your career.<\/p>\n But achieving balance doesn\u2019t mean devoting equal attention to each part of your life at all times. In fact, we often say that \u201cbalance is a faulty metaphor<\/a>,\u201d because true<\/em> balance requires understanding the importance of each facet individually and being intentional about how you prioritize your time and energy in each area.<\/p>\n Our decades of research have consistently found that leaders are most effective when they\u2019re able to lead authentically<\/a>. When leaders bring their whole selves to their roles, they\u2019re better able to integrate their personal values and sense of purpose into their everyday actions, and support those they lead to do the same.<\/p>\n That\u2019s why all our leadership programs<\/a> now emphasize building self-awareness about personal values and understanding the ways these 4 elements of your life influence each other and work in tandem. This enables you to approach leadership holistically, with a values-based approach that leads to optimal outcomes.<\/p>\n While we may be able to compartmentalize certain behaviors \u2014 for example, committing to not checking work email while on vacation with family \u2014 theres no such thing as compartmentalizing our careers, our families, our communities, or even ourselves. All aspects of our lives are intertwined, interdependent, entangled, and overlapping.<\/p>\n Most leaders recognize the importance of making time for these 4 facets, in a general sense. But it\u2019s easy to lose sight of good intentions, especially when to-do lists feel endless.<\/p>\n To bring a holistic leadership approach to your own life and be sure your behaviors are aligning with your intentions, take some time to think about how you want to show up as a leader and as a person.<\/strong> Ask yourself the following questions to boost your self-awareness<\/a> and clarify your values and visions as they relate to each facet of your life. <\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n During the COVID pandemic, any lines that once existed between self, career, family, and community have become even more blurred. For many people who were used to devoting their attention to work while they were in the office and devoting their attention to their families when they were at home, the pandemic meant they no longer had the luxury of that clearly defined boundary as they shifted to remote work or began leading in a hybrid work environment<\/a>.<\/p>\n Especially in the absence of physical barriers, it\u2019s important to remember that the goal of holistic leadership isn\u2019t<\/em> to distribute time and effort evenly among your commitments. Rather, you want to make sure your behaviors align with your values.<\/strong> <\/em>When you have to transition quickly from an urgent work call to a child\u2019s homework question, are you behaving in a way that shows your child you value the time you have decided to take with them?<\/p>\n If you can clarify your values as they relate to these 4 facets of your life, you\u2019ll have a north star to guide your behavior and determine if you\u2019re acting in accordance with those values and living with intention<\/a> at all times, even when something unexpected comes up.<\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve clarified your values, take the following 3 steps to adapt how you live out those values as you move through your day and make decisions about your future.<\/p>\n Think about sketching a picture of your personal button. If you were to draw in the 4 buttonholes proportional to your time and attention, what would that look like today? How are you supporting your own self-care?<\/p>\n When you think about how you currently spend your resources, don\u2019t overlook your mental energy \u2014 your most valuable asset that fuels your enthusiasm, motivation, drive, and <\/em>physical energy to live a full life.<\/p>\n In 2 to 3 years from now, it\u2019s unlikely that you\u2019ll want those buttonholes to be the same proportions. As your life evolves, your priorities will shift. Take time now to set achievable goals that align with your values and priorities<\/a>. Ask yourself the following questions to help you define your goals:<\/p>\n In terms of balancing\u00a0wellbeing and leadership<\/a>, you give life to what you give energy to. If you were to look at your calendar, you\u2019d ideally see a collection of rituals and patterns that reflect your values. Maybe your calendar shows you consistently set aside time to exercise each day. Maybe you work earlier or later certain days. Maybe you do a lunch date with your spouse every Friday. Maybe you call your parents every so often. Maybe you serve on a community board for an organization you care about or spend time volunteering on the weekends. Being very intentional about how you spend your time gives you a sense of control and ensures you\u2019re really living your life in accordance with your values.<\/strong><\/p>\n If rituals and patterns that matter to you aren\u2019t a part of your life right now, and you\u2019re committed to staying accountable and making them a part of your life going forward, you may need to verbalize your commitments to others. Does your supervisor understand that it\u2019s important for you to leave at a certain time every Wednesday to coach your child\u2019s soccer team? Does your family know how important your morning walk is to your mental and physical health?<\/p>\n Communicate your values and priorities to the people in your life so they can help you follow through on your commitment to being a more holistic leader.<\/p>\n \u201cHeavy is the head that wears the crown,\u201d Shakespeare\u2019s Henry IV famously said to summarize the burden of kingship. In other words, it can get lonely at the top.<\/p>\n Most leaders can relate to that sentiment. Being in a leadership role, especially as you move up the organizational hierarchy, means dealing with a lot of leadership stress<\/a>. Left unattended, that stress can cause failed relationships, career derailment, and poor health.<\/p>\n But if you understand that you aren\u2019t defined solely by your career \u2014 that it\u2019s but one aspect of your life, and is enhanced when you make time for every other <\/em>facet of your life<\/strong> \u2014 then you\u2019ve laid the foundation for overcoming burnout<\/a> and becoming a truly holistic leader.<\/p>\n\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nHow to Be a More Holistic Leader<\/h2>\n
Explore Each Facet of Your Life for More Holistic Leadership<\/h3>\n
\n<\/a><\/p>\n1. Self:<\/h4>\n
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2. Family:<\/h4>\n
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3. Career:<\/h4>\n
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4. Community:<\/h4>\n
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Integrating the Facets of Holistic Leadership With Intention<\/h2>\n
Bring Your Whole Self to Leadership: 3 Tips<\/h2>\n
How to Live Out Holistic Leadership<\/h3>\n
1. Define how you currently <\/em>devote your energy and attention.<\/h4>\n
2. Ask yourself how you want to allocate your energy in the future<\/em>.<\/h4>\n
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3. Determine the adjustments required to make appropriate shifts.<\/h4>\n
Why Holistic Leadership Matters<\/h2>\n