8 Habits of Healthy Leaders: Recognizing the Signs

If you've ever worked with a healthy leader, you are blessed. You came home every day wanting to be a better leader. The way this person lived their life and interacted with the team was a gravitational pull toward health for everyone. 

I know this list isn't exhaustive, but there are some of the things I've noticed about healthy leaders.

Healthy Leaders...

  1. Constantly ask questions. They don't assume they are the smartest person in the room. In fact, they assume the best answer resides in the people around them, and it is their job to find it. 

    The best leaders are those most interested in surrounding themselves with assistants and associates smarter than they are.
    - John C. Maxwell

  2. Want feedback. They not only ask, "What can I do better next time?"...they actually wait for the answer. And then when you are brave enough to give them constructive feedback, they accept it and apply it.

  3. Are always learning. Even though they may be older and more experienced, they take notes when someone else is teaching or talking. It's been said, "Leaders are readers." Maybe. I don't think every leader needs to be that (annoying) person on instagram who tells us the 100 books they finished last year, but I do think leaders are learners--whether through podcasts, articles, research, classes, conferences, books--or whatever works for them.

  4. Celebrate the success of others. They genuinely love when others around them do well. In fact, at their core they believe their success rides on the development of the people around them. They habitually and naturally deflect praise or credit back on their team. 

    A good leader takes a little more than his share of the blame, a little less than his share of the credit.
    - Arnold H. Glasow

  5. Don't get defensive. When attacked or accused, even unjustly, they look for what they can learn from the situation. "Even if most of this is unfounded, where is the kernel of truth and what can I learn from it?"

  6. Seek first to understand. When someone disagrees with them, they strive to see the situation through the other person's eyes. When tension or frustration is rising, they drop back to see what they are missing. "What is the context or lived experience of the other individal that I need to understand?"

  7. Go home before the work is done. They model for their team what it means to have healthy boundaries and margins. They show through their calendar and behavior how they prioritize their most important relationships. They pay attention to their mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health. Healthy leaders understand the management of the universe does not rest on their shoulders. Yes, they are incredibly hard workers--but not at the expense of their health or family. 

  8. Are emotionally intelligent. They are able to understand and relate to the emotions and experiences of their team members. They take the time to listen and offer support when needed. By showing empathy, healthy leaders build trust and foster strong relationships with their team, which leads to increased collaboration and productivity.

If you've ever known a healthy leader, you know they aren't healthy 100% of the time. If you work with someone long enough, you see them at their best and at their worst. Healthy leaders also surround themselves with people who can pull them back toward health. 

I am a healthy leader. Sometimes. And other times I'm not. I want to live more and more of my life as a healthy leader. I want to be a leader who pulls others toward health. How about you?

What have you seen in healthy leaders? What am I missing from this list?

Tim Stevens