Times of change in an organization – whether it’s positive or negative – can be especially difficult for leaders. Not only are you trying to cope with the changes yourself, you’re also required to support your team through them, which can place exceptional demands on your own time and well being.
“You can’t pour from an empty cup.” We’ve all heard this advice, but it’s particularly useful for leaders, who can sometimes run themselves deep into the red through their support of others. Here are key ways to ensure your own tank never hits empty:
Accept your own knowledge gaps. Crystal ball not working? Ours either. It’s important to remind yourself that you’re not expected to know everything or have all of the answers, especially when it comes to the future. Sometimes pressure from our teams or our own managers can make it feel that way, so continually clarify for yourself where there are knowledge gaps you can address through personal development and where they’re not yours to fill.
Check in with yourself. You set aside time for one-to-one chats with your team, but how often are you focusing on your own needs and development? This is particularly important if you don’t have a mentor figure yourself. Turn the tables and ask yourself the same questions you’d ask your team: How are you? How are you finding this period of change?
Cut yourself a break. Look at where you’re finding your breaks. Do they even exist? It’s hard to carve out time for yourself when you’re juggling a demanding role, but it’s possible. One helpful tip: Cut your half-hour meetings by 5 minutes and your hour-long meetings by 10 minutes. Shortening a meeting tends to force more focus, and it will also give you a couple minutes between meetings to look after yourself.
Find a leadership network. No matter what you’re experiencing in your role, you’re likely to find peers in the same situation. Connecting with them and finding folks “in the same boat” can help hugely. It’s good to talk, particularly when someone else really understands your position.
Make the most of your own manager. Is your own manager able to give you enough of their time? Be sure to advocate for it if you need to: You especially deserve the support and sounding board during a difficult time. When things start to smooth out, you can use the time for your own continued growth.
Finally, if things are becoming particularly tough or a short slump has grown into a bigger bump, don’t forget the Employee Assistance Program (EAP). We all deserve the support to refill those cups!