Physical Activity is Linked to Leadership Excellence
Breaking News from the Center for Creative Leadership
This just in: Exercise and physical activity are linked to leadership effectiveness.
And get this: According to the Center for Creative Leadership, leaders who are physically fit are considered by their boards, bosses, peers, and direct reports to be more effective leaders than those who aren’t.
Said differently, the time you invest in regular exercise is correlated with higher ratings of your leadership effectiveness.
This finding is a very big deal indeed and one that you can leverage to enhance your overall impact as a Leader of LIGHT.
Five Ways Physical Activity Makes You A Better Leader
1. Exercise improves mental well-being and helps you manage your stress. Specifically, exercise releases endorphins, which naturally combat stress and improve mood, leading to greater mental clarity and emotional resilience.
2. Exercise enhances focus and improves your decision-making. Physical activity improves cognitive functioning, including attention and problem-solving, which are essential for making sound decisions and leading effectively.
3. Exercise increases your energy and productivity. Regular exercise can boost your energy levels and reduce fatigue, allowing you to be more productive and engaged in your work.
4. Exercise gives you greater self-confidence and interpersonal presence. Physical fitness boosts self-confidence, which is a fundamental aspect of effective leadership, and this contributes to a stronger overall presence.
5. Exercise improves your overall health and longevity. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular physical activity, contributes to long-term health and well-being, which will allow you to remain effective for years to come.
How You Can Become More Physically Active
According to the experts from the Center for Creative Leadership, there are four ways you can become more physically active:
1. Do less, more often.
Short stints of moderate exercise performed daily are better for maintaining energy and boosting performance than an hour performed only on the weekends. Break up the day. Find little ways to increase your activity throughout the day: Walk while talking on your phone, take frequent stretch breaks, park at the far end of the lot, or take the stairs.
2. Keep track.
Log your workouts — what you did and for how long. You’ll be able to track progress, set goals, and stay motivated.
3. Be flexible.
Take advantage of an open slot in your calendar whenever it appears. If someone else keeps your calendar, ask them to schedule workouts for you.
4. Mix it up.
While your stationary bike or treadmill may be convenient, you’re likely to get bored. When the weather is nice, get outside!
Remember: The hardest thing about exercising is starting. Once you are doing it regularly, the hardest thing will be to stop. What’s more, physical activity is an outfit that looks different on everybody. The key is to just get moving. The benefits will follow.
In an age of “winner take all” leadership, It’s important for you to understand that being physically fit is not about being better than someone else. It’s about being better than you were yesterday.
And, as a Leader of LIGHT, you have the power to change lives and transform circumstances. Being physically fit will help you get the job done.
Today (and every day) take some time to honor your health: body, mind and spirit. Your people will thank you for it.
Until next time, see LIGHT, be LIGHT, and spread LIGHT!
Until Next Time...
We’ve picked some articles we think you might like! Click below to read more.
If You Want to Lead, You Have to Read
As a Leader of LIGHT, you have an important challenge ahead of you: You have to grow yourself, and at the same time, you have to grow everyone around you. Balancing these two tasks can be very difficult.
The Importance of Setting High Standards
The quality of your leadership will be reflected in the standards you set for yourself.
The One Thing
For decades, researchers have been obsessed with finding out what separates great leaders from just good ones. And now we may have the answer.
About Lead with Light
Lead with Light is an initiative that aims to equip current and emerging leaders with a reimagined approach to servant leadership.
Our ultimate vision is to grow and develop thousands of Leaders of Light to ignite a movement to see light, be light, and spread light in ways only each can.