You Can’t Pour From An Empty Cup.
Managing a group of employees is not an easy task, especially when you’ve got your own personal issues. Being a leader can be very exhausting when you have to help other people face their own problems. Let's face it, sometimes employees look to you for guidance when things are chaotic in their own personal life.
Here are five ways to lead others when you're also barely holding it together.
- Delegate, Delegate, Delegate
It is important to remember when personal stress is high, you don’t have the bandwidth to-do everything. Create a trusted team of employees to help you get your tasks completed on that never ending to- do list. Delegation isn’t a sign of weakness—it gives others the opportunity to lead parts of the task, while allowing you breathing room to focus on your well-being.
- Set Boundaries with Time and Energy.
There comes a time where you have to draw the line. Few people take initiative to respect other's peoples personal times and boundaries unless they are explicitly clear on your boundaries. Being a leader doesn’t mean being available 24/7. When you set that time with your boundaries and accessibility, you create the space to manage your stress without being overwhelmed by other people's constant demands.
- Focus on the larger goal
When issues arise in the workplace everyone turns to the leader, it’s easy to get caught up in the small details of an issue. Guide your employees to focus on the big-picture so they learn to make decisions without needing your input on every little problem. Keep communication open while empowering them to use better problem solving skills.
- Vunerability
It is no big secret we all experience human suffering. It’s okay to let your employees know you’re dealing with personal challenges. Being honest, without oversharing. You may find that your employees are likely to step up when they see you handling stress with grace openly.
- Prioritize Self-Care
No one is going to do it for you. Even scarier, time may never allow it. In order to have those moments, you have to create it. Make time for self-care, whether it’s a short walk, meditation, or stepping away from the chaos to decompress. Taking care of yourself is critical to staying grounded and being able to handle problems effectively.
Managing people when you’ve got your own struggles is not for the weak, but with the right strategies in place, you can lead with resilience when life feels overwhelming. To learn more on how to incorporate better mental wellness strategies into your workplace and everyday living, click here to learn more.
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