How a Regular Fitness Routine Can Boost Your Leadership Skills
From energizing your afternoon to setting a good example, fitting in a workout can help you be a better boss.
If you’re in a leadership position, you might feel chained to your desk – like you have to be the first one in the office and the last one to leave. However, what if we told you that fitting in a regular workout is essential for both you and your employees’ success? After all, your health is important to keep the office running.
“ If you get sick or are constantly run down, you can’t support the people that rely on you.”Jenny Noiles, Performance Director for EXOS at Mayo Clinic Sports Medicine
A healthy body isn’t the only bonus of an active lifestyle.
Here are five ways leaders can benefit from carving out time for fitness:
1. Get a reset from the mental grind
When you feel that afternoon fog roll in, adding some movement to your day might help. “Instead of going for coffee, challenge yourself to do something that elevates your heart rate. It’ll give you more energy and revitalize your day,” says Jenny. And if you’re feeling run–down, it’s likely your employees are, too. Try opening afternoon meetings with a meeting energizer – a quick session of targeted movement designed to get the blood flowing.
2. Increase your productivity
Whether you exercise before work or find time during the day, exercise has proven benefits for your focus and mental capacity. When you think about the endorphins you get from your fitness routine, it’s probably no surprise that getting your blood pumping can improve your mood at work. One study at the University of Bristol found that employees had better concentration, were more likely to finish their work on time, and felt more motivated on days they spent time at the gym.
3. Discover more effective “me” time
Leadership can be demanding, and bowing to the needs of others can leave you burned out. You need to take care of yourself before you can help others. Whether it’s a full hour or just 20 minutes, let go of distractions and focus on yourself for a while, and if you can get to the gym, that’s a bonus. “That time might as well involve something that will improve your overall health and wellness, which ultimately enables you to keep supporting the people that rely on you,” says Jenny.
4. Find comfort in consistency
“The more consistent you are with your schedule, the easier it is for people to know when they can rely on you.”Jenny Noiles
Having a scheduled fitness routine can help you and your employees feel more in control of an otherwise chaotic schedule. “The more consistent you are with your schedule, the easier it is for people to know when they can rely on you,” says Jenny. Just like you plan around days when Karen from Accounts needs to leave early to be at her son’s soccer game, your employees can plan around your daily 10 a.m. workout.
Plus, a solidified schedule will help you feel more organized and prepared for the week ahead. Jenny recommends that you pick a time and block it on your calendar. That way everyone knows, and you’ll have an extra reminder when it’s time to grab your gym bag and head for the door.
5. Inspire your workforce
When it comes to creating an environment where health is valued, your employees will follow your lead. Committing to a regular fitness routine tells your employees that your health is important to you. “If health and wellness are a priority for you, other people should know about it,” says Jenny. “You never know, it might influence or encourage others.” On the other hand, if you never use your lunch break to hit the gym or get out and move, your employees might be more likely to set aside their health goals as well.
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