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Part Two Leading with Balance – Mental Health Strategies for Resilient Leadership

some excerpt

In leadership, it’s easy to feel like we’re supposed to have it all together. But I’ve learned that being a strong leader doesn’t mean hiding our struggles; it means finding ways to lead authentically, even on the tough days. Over time, I’ve developed a few strategies to keep balance and openness in my approach, and they’ve made a real difference—for both me and my team.

1. Setting Boundaries and Modeling Balance One of the hardest lessons for me was realizing that setting boundaries doesn’t make me less committed to my role. If anything, it makes me more effective in the long run. I’ve started being intentional about things like not checking emails after a certain time or taking breaks when I need them. I’ve found that when I model this for my team, it creates a culture where self-care isn’t just encouraged—it’s seen as necessary.

2. Sharing (A Little) Vulnerability I used to think that showing any vulnerability would make me appear less dependable as a leader. But sharing just a bit—mentioning that I, too, have days where energy is low or motivation dips—has opened up a space for my team to feel safe discussing their own struggles. I don’t share everything, but letting them see a bit of the real me has deepened our trust and helped us work better together.

3. Delegating and Trusting My Team When I’m feeling low on energy, I remind myself that leadership doesn’t mean doing everything alone. Trusting my team to take on tasks and delegating more has helped ease my load and shown them that I value their contributions. I used to worry that delegating might make me look less capable, but I’ve come to see it as a sign of strong leadership—it shows faith in the team and fosters their growth.

4. Prioritizing and Simplifying Goals On those heavy days when everything feels overwhelming, I’ve found it helps to break down big goals into smaller, manageable steps. Not only does this help me keep moving forward, but it’s also a practice I share with my team. Simplifying complex tasks into achievable steps has reduced burnout for all of us and keeps momentum going, even when energy is low.

5. Seeking Support and Creating Openness Perhaps one of the most valuable steps I’ve taken is connecting with other leaders who understand the unique pressures of balancing mental health with leadership. Just knowing I’m not alone in this makes a huge difference. I’ve also tried to foster this openness within my team, encouraging them to seek support when they need it. Normalizing this has strengthened our team’s resilience and built a foundation of trust.

Final Thoughts: Leading with Realness Leading while managing mental health isn’t easy, but I’ve come to see it as part of the journey rather than an obstacle. By being intentional about setting boundaries, showing a bit of vulnerability, and prioritizing support, I’ve found a way to lead that feels authentic and sustainable. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being real and creating an environment where others feel they can do the same.

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