It Whispers Before It Screams

TL;DR: Learn to listen to the whispers of your body and mind before they become screams, and how this practice of self-awareness is crucial for effective leadership.

Reading time: ~3 minutes

The Bedrock of Our Ability to Lead

We often talk about how good leaders listen. They listen to their team, their customers, their industry.

But there's one voice that is frequently overlooked and it's the one that's closest to us - our own.

Just as our bodies and minds constantly communicate with us, providing subtle hints about what they need, it's up to us to pay attention, understand and act on these signals.

Ignoring them can lead to these whispers becoming screams, which could potentially derail our ability to show up the way we want and lead effectively.

So therefore, it’s our self-awareness and self-care that forms the bedrock of our ability to lead.

It Whispers Before Screams

Our body and mind are in a continuous dialogue with us.

They whisper subtle signals - a sense of fatigue, a feeling of being overwhelmed, or maybe just a nagging sensation in your calf when you're jogging.

All these are gentle reminders, quiet whispers, hinting at what we need to adjust.

The danger lies in ignoring these whispers, in suppressing these feelings or pushing beyond our limits without due care.

The whispers then grow louder, becoming undeniable screams - burnout at work, severe stress, or a significant physical injury.

These screams can sideline us, impacting our ability to function, let alone lead.

Leadership - A Reflection of Inner Awareness

Leadership is the ability to recognise what better looks like and having the courage to bring it to reality

It's not just about exerting influence in the workplace or assuming designated roles.

True leadership radiates from our very being—it is the beacon that guides our decisions and actions in our homes, industries, and most crucially, our personal lives.

It is a testament to our state of mind, our life philosophy.

To fulfil this potential, we must brave the discomfort of self-discovery and personal growth.

We must find the courage to listen and act on our whispers, to navigate uncharted territories within ourselves, to better our understanding of who we are and what we need.

This challenge—the core of self-awareness and self-care—is the essence of authentic leadership.

So, acknowledging the whispers of our body and mind, attending to them before they turn into screams, becomes central to this journey of self-led leadership.

Your Action

Start paying attention to your whispers today.

What is your mind subtly hinting at?

What is your body trying to tell you?

Don't brush these signals aside; get curious and lean in to them.

Remember, just like leadership, listening to yourself is a habit, a muscle that needs development. The more you practice, the better you become at it.

The most crucial step is to start, and there's no better time than now. So, why not today?