Choosing Yourself First
Let me tell you something that might surprise you: There comes a time when you absolutely MUST pick yourself over all of the people you deeply care about. And I know that sounds selfish, but it’s really not. In fact, it’s necessary. It’s about taking care of you first, not in a “I’m All-Important” way, but in a “I need to be at my best to lead others effectively” kind of way.
The Importance of Prioritising Health
Early in my career, I was all about leadership—I wanted the promotions, the recognition, and the title and I thought that meant success. I thought to myself, “Sure, I’ll work through weekends, I’ll stay late, I’ll give everything I’ve got to my team and clients.” And while that sounds noble, let me tell you, it wasn’t sustainable. I was burning out, and no one was benefitting from it—not my team, not my clients, and certainly not me. The truth is, if you’re not taking care of yourself, you can’t show up as the kind of leader you want to be.
The best leaders know that taking care of yourself is just as important as taking care of your team. If you’re constantly giving without refuelling, you’re going to run on empty, and that doesn’t help anyone.
A Hard Lesson Learned
I’ll learned this the hard way, when a very close friend of mine, who I had known for 19 years, tragically passed away from a sudden heart attack. There was no warning. I didn’t see it coming. He was a fantastic person—smart, well-liked, a loving father, and a great boss and colleague. But he was burning the candle at both ends. He was working 12-15 hour days, seven days a week. No exercise, no proper diet, no sleep. He ignored the warning signs of elevated blood pressure and cholesterol. In the end, the combination of overwork, stress, lack of sleep, and bad eating habits took his life. He was just 47 years old.
This wasn’t just some “it won’t happen to me” situation. It was a stark reminder that you can’t ignore your health for the sake of what may be deemed as success. Sure, my friend was passionate about his work, but passion without balance isn’t sustainable. Leadership without self-care is a recipe for disaster. And this isn’t just about work, it’s about your overall health—mental and physical.
You Can’t Lead Others If You’re Not Leading Yourself
The thing is, when you’re a leader, everyone around you depends on you. Your team needs you, your clients need you, and your family needs you. But guess what? You can’t help them if you’re not taking care of yourself first. Think of it like the safety instructions on an airplane: You have to put on your own oxygen mask before helping others. And the same goes for leadership—you need to protect your well-being, or you’ll be of no use to anyone.
This brings me to the point that’s key—leadership qualities like resilience, clarity, and the ability to make sound decisions depend on your physical and mental health. If you’re running on fumes, your decision-making will suffer. So, what’s the solution?
Building Strong Leadership Qualities
This brings me to the point that’s key—leadership qualities like resilience, clarity, and the ability to make sound decisions depend on your physical and mental health. If you’re running on fumes, your decision-making will suffer. So, what’s the solution?
Make Time for Self-Care
First of all, it’s simple: choose yourself. Prioritise your health, your time, and your well-being. Start small. I’ve seen many successful people do this. They understand the importance of carving out time for themselves, whether it’s exercise, eating right, or simply taking a break. It’s about saying “no” to things that drain you and “yes” to things that recharge you.
A Practical Health Check
If you’re over the age of 40, as I mention in my book, you absolutely should get an executive health check-up every year. It’s a no-brainer. You wouldn’t ignore your car when the engine light comes on, so don’t ignore the warning signs from your own body. If you think that constant stress and poor health habits won’t catch up to you, think again. Your body is not a machine—it’s a limited resource, and you only get one.
The Shift in Mindset
For me, it took a while to realise that I needed to slow down and take care of my health. It’s not always easy. But once I started to integrate more self-care into my routine—whether it was exercising, getting proper sleep, or simply saying “no” to the unnecessary tasks—I felt better. My focus improved. My energy improved. And guess what? I became a better leader because of it.
Delegation: A Key Leadership Quality
Another key piece of advice? Leadership qualities like the ability to delegate and trust others are essential for your well-being. If you’re trying to do everything yourself, you’re heading straight for burnout. When I first started my business, I tried to take on everything, thinking that as a leader, I had to do it all. But once I embraced delegation, I not only freed up time for myself, but I also empowered my team to take more ownership. That’s a win-win.
Final Thoughts: Lead Yourself First
When I made health a leadership quality of my own, it became a non-negotiable. I got into long-distance running this way. I joined the Dubai Creek Striders running club, and those morning runs became more than just physical exercise—they were mental breaks, a time for clarity and reflection. This made a huge difference in my mindset. And it wasn’t about running marathons (although I did two, just to check that box). It was about showing up for myself, taking that time to recharge and making new connections, outside of work.
The bottom line here is simple: Leadership isn’t just about leading others—it’s about leading yourself. If you’re constantly giving without refuelling, you’ll eventually run on empty. Don’t wait until you’re burned out to make a change. Take care of your body, your mind, and your emotions today, and the impact you’ll have on those around you will be far greater.
So, take a step back, reassess your leadership qualities, and ask yourself: Am I taking care of myself as I should? Am I setting a good example for my team? If you can’t answer “yes,” it’s time to put your own oxygen mask on first. You’ll thank yourself later.
