True leadership is not simply learned or practiced by managing in a professional environment. To lead well, you must influence those around you, and if you’re a great leader, you are likely living an influential lifestyle that permeates in your day-to-day routines, home life, hobbies, and relationships outside of work. If you are looking to be in a leadership position but are sacrificing your home life and personal interests for work success, keep reading, as we discuss Leading Beyond the Office: How to Embody True Leadership.
1. Lead Yourself
Before leading others, you must lead yourself with clear values, self-discipline, and consistency. Consistent values. The values you hold in the workplace should also be evident in how you interact with your family, friends, and others. Consistent values and actions in and outside of work are the mark of great character, which builds trust, credibility, and the power to influence others.
2. Lead at Home
How you interact with your family, handle responsibilities, and communicate sets the tone for your entire life. A great leader is present in their family’s life, offering support, guidance, and love. They prioritize quality time and make sure their home is a nurturing environment where everyone can thrive.
3. Pursue Your Passions
A well-rounded leader pursues their passions outside of work. Hobbies and interests not only provide an essential escape from the stresses of work but also fuel personal growth. Your enthusiasm, creativity, and dedication fill be cultivate in and outside of work. Your passions can also inspire others, influencing them in unexpected ways.
4. Foster Relationships
Leadership is fundamentally about relationships. Leaders actively nurture their connections with friends and the community, listening, empathizing, and lending a helping hand when needed. Building strong relationships outside of work enhances your ability to collaborate, communicate, and lead effectively in any setting.
5. Practice Work-Life “Balance”
Striving for success at work shouldn’t come at the expense of your health, relationships, or personal growth. This balance won’t always be equal, but strive to create a rhythm that enables you to succeed in all areas of your life. Lead yourself first, nurture relationships, pursue your passions, and maintain this healthy work-life rhythm, so you can become a leader in and out of the office.
True leadership isn’t just about being successful in your career; it’s about being a positive influence on the world around you. Great leaders have self-discipline, purpose and self-awareness, and they strive for continual self-improvement, setting personal goals and maintaining a healthy work-life balance. By mastering themselves, they become more influential and trusted in guiding others.
