How to Be a Leader Both In and Out of the Workplace

Leadership is a continuous process with the end-goal in mind to become the best leader you can be for yourself, your team, and your business. Though, in order to be a well-rounded leader, you should have the skillset and determination to lead in all facets of your life. Being a franchise owner for more than 15 years and taking on one of the most important roles of leadership – being a mother, I’ve learned how to be a strong leader in both my personal and professional endeavors. Finding your footing as a leader can be difficult, therefore, I wanted to extend my knowledge and share four insights on how you can become a successful leader in and beyond your business.

1. Growth Through Discomfort

With over 15 years of experience in the disaster relief industry, I’ve had my fair share of doing the uncomfortable tasks. Although, no matter the industry or field, as a leader, you will always have an extremely challenging experience or two. Whether it’s dealing with an unsatisfied customer, handling a company setback, or anything in between, as a leader, you must know how to do the uncomfortable and grow from it. Even in your personal life away from work, you may find yourself knowing that you need to accomplish something, but are too worried or scared to do it. Perhaps, it’s a morning workout to kickstart your day or finally doing a task you’ve been pushing off, in order to be a better leader, you must be able to push yourself through the difficult times and tough moments. Growth through discomfort is a fundamental principle of personal and professional development. It’s important to acknowledge that our most significant strides forward often occur when we are pushed outside our comfort zone. When we can embrace discomfort as a catalyst for change, we then open ourselves to new experiences, challenges, and opportunities. It’s in these moments of unease, where we can discover our true potential, learn valuable lessons, and develop resilience. While you may doubt yourself or feel uncomfortable during those moments, in the end, you will grow into a better leader and be ready to face all the challenges the job may bring.

2. Allow Yourself Grace

In both your personal and professional lives, you will most likely make mistakes, but that’s okay. While mistakes and failures are never the desired outcome for any leader, those mistakes and failures serve a purpose. They teach you important lessons and give you the necessary feedback needed to succeed. Instead of focusing on the mistakes being made, shift your mindset to what comes from those mistakes and how you, as a leader, can grow from it. Be open to making mistakes and being honest with your faults to not only yourself, but your team and your clients. It’s imperative that you understand that mistakes, while they may feel massive, are just minuscule compared to your journey as a leader. Give yourself some grace, and know that those same mistakes will help propel you and your business forward. In your daily life, you can allow yourself grace through various ways; whether it’s doing meditation, practicing gratitude, or journaling everyday. Just remember, it’s okay to fail, what’s more important is how you recover and grow from it.

3. Find Your Balance

Being not only a Servpro franchise owner, but a mother, has shaped my leadership identity in a multitude of ways. Though when being a leader beyond the workplace, it’s crucial for you to find your balance between your home life and your work life. For me, finding my balance means creating to-do lists that help me prioritize my time. While it will differ between individuals, you must be able to understand how much time you have, and how you want to spend it. Whether it’s giving others responsibilities to help with work tasks or being able to pair work you enjoy and don’t enjoy together, you must prioritize to create a healthy balance. A healthy balance allows you the opportunity to fulfill those leadership roles in both spheres and gear you towards success. Once you find that balance, you will then be able to dedicate your time to becoming a better leader both professionally and personally.

4. Take Care of Yourself

Before becoming a leader, you first must be able to take care of yourself and your body. For me, exercise not only helps shape my morning, but gives me the needed kick-start to my day. If you’re not taking care of yourself, you’re doing an injustice to your business, your team, and most importantly your clients. Even when you’re a leader, it’s important to take time for yourself and allow yourself to experience joy. By keeping a healthy lifestyle, you’re not only putting yourself first, but your potential as well. Discover the things that make you happy, keep you healthy, and put you in a better mindset to take on the day no matter where you’re at. Whether it’s starting a new exercise routine, implementing meal prep, or just going for a walk in between meetings, remember to take care of yourself, so you can be at your best for your business.