Dear Reader,
Welcome to this week’s edition of Career Catalyst.
"The time to relax is when you don't have time for it."
– Sydney J. Harris
One of the most important things a leader must do is look after themselves.
Look after the Leader
When you’re in a leadership role, it’s easy to become the engine that never stops.
You're the one others lean on. You hold the pressure, set the direction, and keep the wheels turning. Your calendar fills up fast. Your inbox is always growing. There’s always another decision to make, another meeting to prep for, another challenge to solve.
In the midst of all this, the easiest person to neglect is… you.
But here’s the uncomfortable truth: you can’t lead well if you don’t look after yourself.
You can power through for a while. Maybe even years. But eventually, the cracks show: fatigue, cynicism, poor decisions, strained relationships. What looked like dedication slowly becomes depletion.
And when the leader is depleted, the whole system suffers.
Self-Care Isn't Selfish — It's Strategic
Let’s be clear: self-care isn’t about indulgence — it’s about sustainability.
Think of yourself as a high-performance asset — because you are. If you were managing someone with your responsibilities, would you want them running on 50% energy, never resting, always stressed? Of course not. You’d be worried about burnout. You’d suggest they take time out to reset. Not only that, but you’d help them think long-term.
But leaders don’t always offer themselves that same permission.
We buy into the idea that relentless output is the price of success. That any time not spent “doing” is time wasted. That looking after ourselves can wait until the next quarter, or after this project, or when things “settle down.”
But here’s the problem: things rarely settle down. And your performance — and your team’s — depends on the quality of the leader you bring to the table.
Five Practical Ideas to Build into Your Week
Let’s get practical. These aren’t earth-shattering. However, the leaders who consistently show up at their best tend to do these things with discipline and intention.
1. Protect your cognitive bandwidth
Block time for deep work. Guard it like you would a client meeting. Let your brain focus, without distractions, at least once or twice a day. It’s not just more productive — it helps you stay centred.
2. Check your recovery rhythm
Build in regular recovery — not just once a year on holiday, but every day, every week. Go for a walk after a tough call. Leave gaps between meetings. Take a long lunch once in a while. You’ll return sharper.
3. Move your body, move your mind
Physical movement is one of the most powerful ways to shift mental state. Many of the leaders I work with have a “non-negotiable” habit: running, swimming, cycling, yoga, the gym. It’s not about fitness. It’s about clarity.
4. Get more sleep than you think you need
You can’t “push through” bad sleep forever. Leaders need mental sharpness, emotional regulation, and stamina. Sleep gives you all three. Try prioritising sleep for one week and notice the difference.
5. Speak to someone you don’t have to manage
This one’s vital. You require a safe space — somewhere to think out loud, process challenges, and decompress. That could be a coach, a peer group, a mentor, or even a therapist. But don’t lead in isolation. It’s not brave. It’s limiting.
The Ripple Effect
When leaders prioritise their wellbeing, it sends a powerful message: it’s okay to value your health. It’s okay to take time. It’s okay to be human.
That mindset trickles down fast. Teams become more energised, more open, and more honest. Stress becomes easier to talk about. Boundaries are respected. Focus improves.
It’s not about creating a “soft” culture — it’s about creating a sustainable one.
A Thought Experiment
Imagine this:
You show up to a leadership meeting completely calm. Your head is clear. You’ve had a great night’s sleep. You’ve thought about the problem ahead. Furthermore, you’re not chasing yesterday’s fires.
What kind of leader are you at that moment?
Now contrast it with the version of you who’s rushing in from back-to-back calls, didn’t eat lunch, slept 5 hours, and hasn’t made much, if any, time for reflection in days.
Which version is more likely to lead well? To see clearly? To inspire confidence?
We know the answer.
So Here’s Your Challenge This Week
Pick one habit. Just one. Something that helps you look after yourself.
Maybe it’s booking a session with your coach.
Perhaps it’s a 30-minute walk, phone-free.
Or it’s protecting your Sunday night to plan the week ahead.
Possibly it’s saying “no” to one thing you don’t have to say yes to.
Whatever it is — own it. Protect it. Build it in.
Because when you look after the leader, everything else gets better.
Please let me know how it goes!
Best wishes, Stephen
Thanks for reading. If you have an interesting insight feel free to share it in the comments section.
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