How Exercise Enhances Leadership Skills
Did you know exercise can have a substantial impact on your leadership abilities? As an individual, I always found it challenging to fit a workout into my already packed schedule (and mostly because… I didn’t want to!). So I had to think about working out in a different way. It was not just about losing weight, but connecting exercise to being the best leader I could be.
If you are looking to incorporate exercise into your day-to-day but struggle with consistency, here are three leadership benefits to serve as some intrinsic motivation:
Stress Reduction and Improved Mental Well-Being: Leadership responsibilities can be overwhelming. Exercise is a natural stress reliever, promoting the release of endorphins that reduce feelings of anxiety and stress. It switches the work-brain off and offers a reset, helping to mitigate the emotional demands of the role.
Better Time Management and Prioritization: When juggling numerous responsibilities, incorporating exercise into your routine helps develop discipline around what’s important, prioritizing your day more effectively. Taking care of yourself is just as important as the other blocks of time scheduled on your calendar.
Increased Resilience: Leaders handle challenging situations and face setbacks without losing momentum. When establishing an exercise routine, pushing through the times you want to quit demonstrates your ability to focus on the long-term goal. If it wasn’t challenging, then the overall result won’t be as transformative!
And one more for the road… leaders lead by example. We want the best for everyone around us and can serve as a role model for balancing personal and professional well being. I'm sure many of the greats throughout history had a workout regimen. So should we!