Balanced Leadership

 

The leaders I’ve worked with for some three decades have taught me many things, but these are two of the most important:

1. Great leaders constantly strive to strike a balance between work and the other realms of their lives.
2. Great leaders share a passion: They want to make a difference in the world.

 

Here’s something else I’ve learned along the way: those two things go hand in hand. The most successful leaders are the ones who work the hardest at balancing all aspects of their lives. And when they do, they find that they really do make a difference.

 

It sounds way too simple, doesn’t it? The truth is, achieving balance isn’t simple or easy. It takes a whole lot of effort, especially during times like these when companies-and indeed whole countries- are thrown into turmoil.

Here are 20 principles that I think define a balanced leader:

1. You balance your needs with those of others in your organization.
2. You balance your needs with those of others in your family.
3. You manage your energy.
4. You manage your time.
5. You adhere to your values.
6. You keep an optimistic outlook while remaining realistic.
7. You cultivate consistency while adapting to change.
8. You practice self-reflection.
9. You maintain your emotional equanimity.
10. You recognize and manage your blind spots.
11. You leverage your strengths while managing your weaknesses.
12. You try to see yourself as others see you.
13. You alternate periods of hard work with periods of sustained rest.
14. You play as hard as you work.
15. You take chances and make mistakes.
16. You acknowledge your mistakes.
17. You learn from your mistakes.
18. You maintain a good sense of humor.
19. You cultivate friends and relatives to keep you on the right path.
20. You never do any of this alone.