The Unseen Price Tag of True Leadership: Are You Willing to Pay the Cost of Consistency?
Greetings, greetings, and welcome to the Whispers of Wellness! I’m so glad you’re here, because today we’re diving into a crucial topic: the cost of being an authentic leader. This isn't just a feel-good phrase; it comes with a real price, one that many aren't willing to pay to reach their highest expression of themselves.
I believe true leadership is about moving from transformation to transcendence, navigating the storms of life while keeping your eye on the prize and emerging better on the other side. But let's ground this in some reality.
The Stark Realities in Healthcare: Why Consistency is Critical
I want to share some statistics that highlight the urgent need for authentic and consistent leadership, especially in healthcare:
Physician Burnout: Nearly half (48%) of US physicians report experiencing burnout, with higher rates among women physicians.
Job Satisfaction: While healthcare workers find satisfaction in relationships with patients (72%) and colleagues (67%), relationships with managers or supervisors only contribute 56% to job fulfillment. This gap is telling.
Turnover & Retention: As of 2023, almost 29% of healthcare workers and 41% of nurses intended to leave their jobs within two years. While hospital turnover rates saw a slight decrease in 2020, they still remain high.
Joy and Engagement: Employees who enjoy their work are 49% less likely to consider a new job compared to those who don't. This underscores how vital a positive work environment is for retention.
These numbers speak volumes, especially when we consider the rates of incivility that have increased post-pandemic. There's so much work to be done, and that's why I'm here, encouraging everyone to keep fighting for the well-being of our care teams. Remember Diana Hardy's powerful quote: "One voice at the right pitch can create an avalanche."
The Cost of Consistency: Your Foundation of Trust
This brings me to part two of my series: The Cost of Consistency.
You don't become someone others trust by showing up sometimes. Authenticity demands consistency. You cannot be a leader who is "up" sometimes and "down" other times. You need a consistent front in your leadership style.
Authentic leadership isn't a weekend workshop; it's a lifestyle. It's about how you treat people in private and in public, and how you handle setbacks, upsets, disappointments, and even delays. People follow what they feel from you, not just what they hear from you. We've all heard "walk the walk" or "practice what you preach," and as leaders, we sign up for that responsibility.
I love Dr. Myles Munroe's image of a statue when talking about character. No matter the weather – rain, sleet, snow, or tornado – that statue remains in the same position. True leadership is your ability to navigate all the storms and still remain your consistent brand. Who you say you are, and what others say you are when you leave the room, truly matters. Do you leave people feeling inspired, or are they relieved when you're gone?
The Non-Negotiable: Self-Development
This is why self-development, personal development, is so critical. How do you truly want to be remembered? For me, I wanted my core values to be love and peace, attributes people would see in me. I cultivated and worked on that 24/7 to be a better human being for my team.
It takes time, intention, and self-awareness. While some may not care to be self-aware, I believe it’s crucial to do a self-assessment of how you impact others. I even welcome 360 feedback, because it's important to understand if you are truly self-aware. If multiple people are giving you similar feedback about your attitude, for example, it's time to turn the mirror to yourself and find out what's really going on. This gives us the responsibility to do the work.
You must prioritize your personal development so you can pour into others from a place of overflow. Personal development is mandatory if you're going to be a leader, a nurse, or anyone working with the public. You will be confronted with nasty, negative people, and those who say the wrong thing. How do you handle it? Your cup needs to be full. You need to have dealt with your anger issues, and be on the path of healing from past traumas. This includes spiritual growth, therapy, coaching, reflection, and feedback. And don't forget rest!
Intelligent Energy Management: Carrying Their Energy
When you're leading others, you're also carrying their energy. This is where intelligent energy management, a concept I learned from HeartMath, comes in. I'm very careful about my energy; I walk in undisturbed composure. Darts still come, challenges arise, but I don't allow them to infiltrate my shield. If you're dispirited, you won't be able to elevate your team, because you'll be mirroring what you see. If you're not full, you'll lead from depletion, not discernment.
Key Takeaways for Authentic Leadership:
Here are some key points I want you to remember:
Your consistency will build your credibility, and credibility will build your trust. There’s nothing like having a leader you know has your back and that you can trust, even with personal matters. This rare find is possible as we consistently work on ourselves outside of work.
Your well-being is part of your leadership reputation. For a time, I wasn't taking care of myself, working long hours, constantly feeling like I couldn't put my phone down. I had to intentionally start shrinking my hours. When you begin prioritizing your well-being, some voices may make you feel like you're doing something wrong. But you have to stick to what you need. This work will be here tomorrow; it's okay to come back and jump in then.
You can't fake wholeness. People feel when you’re not okay. You can smile and say the right words, but people feel your energy. That’s why it’s crucial to handle your situations beforehand or learn tools like HeartMath or quick breathwork for on-the-go energy management. Staff can smell it a mile away. While we are all growing and working to be better human beings, as a leader, I encourage you to ensure you are whole. You may be in process, but your intention should be to find out more about yourself. How do you lead in crisis, conflict, or when people disagree with you, or when you feel alone? These are the self-reflective questions you need to ask.
Your Prompt for Reflection:
Here’s a prompt I want you to write about:
Where in your leadership have you been inconsistent, especially with your values, and what is it costing you?
You want to be the brand. Your brand is critical because that's how you build trust and your reputation. I don’t want a reputation of being a tornado, and I know you don’t either. When people see me, I want them to feel a presence of peace, love, and a welcoming invitation, no matter who they are.
Connect with Me!
Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel, The Whispers of Wellness. Also, I’m building a community here on Substack, where I'll be offering both free and paid subscriptions. The paid level will include live videos and more engagement for a manageable group, allowing for more personal connections.
Remember, wellness and well-being starts within. We are tackling this from the inside out, because when we get the inside right, the outside will flow naturally.
Thank you so much for listening!
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