In the past, this blog has discussed the importance of having mentors, taking the time for self-assessment, and the need for rest and relaxation. This week’s entry combines all of those parts, while encouraging the leader/manager to get to know and understand the self.
As a leader/manager you have many responsibilities, plenty of work, and probably put in a lot of hours. In addition to your responsibilities to the company, its employees and shareholders, you must remember that you also have a responsibility to yourself. This means that you have to know your strengths and weaknesses, and must use and develop them to your benefit. It also means that you must know your own limits, so that you can take care of yourself and perform at your best.
Although this seems simple and obvious, it’s very important that we stop to think about it. Our days are filled with so many things that require us to focus our energy on others, that it’s easy to forget the self. Schedule some time where you assess yourself, your strengths, your weaknesses, your performance, and your needs. Whether this is done once a month or once a quarter, it’s important that it becomes a regular occurrence. If you have a mentor, feel free engage his help with this exercise.
The better you know yourself, the better your chances of using your talents to their fullest, strengthening your weaknesses, and being at your best. Knowing when to push yourself beyond your comfort zone and when to take much needed rest can be key in your accomplishments. When your performance is consistently at its peak, you will have the tools to manage, lead, and inspire others on the road to success.
Although the idea that we need to take care of ourselves first, so that we can take care of everything and everyone else is simple and straightforward, we tend to forget it. Get to know and take care of yourself so that you can be and do your best.
