Leaders have to deal with personal issues like anyone else, along with the responsibilities of leading a team. Sometimes emotions can make leading more challenging, and in such cases, it can help to learn how to deal with these feelings so they don't have a negative impact on your work. Following are five tips to consider.
Share the Right Amount
It can be difficult to know how much to share about your personal situation with employees and colleagues, so let the circumstances guide your judgment. If it's simply too personal to be appropriate for discussion at work, skip the details, and maybe be vague so that they understand that you're dealing with something without having to know the specifics. Some issues may warrant more explanation, especially if they relate to work. Just keep it professional, and be careful not to let your emotions negatively impact your credibility.
Take Care of Yourself
It's important that you take care of yourself during turbulent times. Otherwise, you risk making your emotional state worse, and it can negatively impact your work, your relationships with colleagues and employees, your health, and other parts of your life.
"If you’ve ever flown on an airplane, the flight safety briefing explains how in the event of an emergency, you must put your oxygen mask on first before helping others," says HR solutions provider Insperity.* "Yet, leaders often overlook their own well-being during times of high stress. You can’t expect to help others if you haven’t helped yourself first. To be a great leader of others means to first take care of yourself. Your entire team looks to you to set the tone and show how to manage an entire organization."
Maintain healthy habits, and try practicing mindfulness or meditation. Take time to do things you enjoy, and give yourself regular breaks to help you recharge each day.
Find Support
Self-care is paramount to dealing with your emotions, but it can also be beneficial to get support from others.
"Leadership can be lonely, and asking for help can seem like an insurmountable mountain to climb," says Ruth Gotian Ed.D., M.S. at Psychology Today.** "But it shouldn’t be. Leaders should consider reaching out for support from colleagues, mentors, or mental health professionals. Seeking support allows leaders to process their emotions and gain perspective. Additionally, prioritizing self-care and spending time with loved ones can help leaders manage their emotional distress and regain emotional balance. The Covid pandemic confirmed what we already knew: Humans are social beings; we need to be around others. So carve out time to spend time with some of your favorite people."
Take Time Off if Necessary
If your emotions are getting the better of you to the point where work is becoming a bigger challenge than it should be, perhaps time off is in order. If you can get away, even for a week, without the business suffering as a result, consider taking some mental health time. You can take a trip if you feel up to it, but even just some downtime at home or a "staycation" may be enough to help you feel better. Everybody needs time off , so if it's been a while since you took a real break from work, make this a priority. You'll likely feel much better when you return.
Delegate
Negative emotions tend to creep up when we feel overwhelmed. Don't shy away from delegating tasks to members of your team to get things off your own plate. Look to your second in command to help ease some of your burden, or give some other employees a crack at certain duties.
Knowing how to deal with your emotions will not only help you deal with your own issues, but it can also make you a better leader. What's more, it can help you maintain a positive workplace culture that helps your whole team deal with their emotions in a professional manner, as well. Lead by example.
* https://www.insperity.com/blog/self-care-strategies-for-leaders/
