Leadership x Creativity x Wellness

Dear Creative Leader, remember: When you feel your best, you do your best!

Nothing feels better than being aligned with yourself and your vision for a better world — because that’s when the magic happens.

As a Creative Leader, I've learned that nurturing that magic and encouraging myself and my team to reach our goals goes hand-in-hand with prioritizing wellness. It's important for you and your team to feel physically, mentally, and emotionally well in order to create a workplace where everyone is more engaged, productive, and creative. This better equips your team to manage stress, adapt to change, and collaborate effectively together.

Committing to wellness on your leadership journey is crucial. Creative Leaders are known for their ability to think outside the box, generate innovative ideas, and inspire others to do the same. They are not afraid to take risks, experiment with new approaches, and challenge the status quo. However, pursuing higher heights in your career and life can push you to your limits, so it's vital to have wellness check-ins along the way.

I remember when I first committed to being a leader who strives for wellness in every area of my life. I quickly learned that I can't have it all together all the time, and that it's important to align myself with peace (a.k.a. rest!) before I begin again when burnout threatens to halt my big ideas. While I believe in hard work and dedication to my creative genius, I refuse to succumb to the "hustle and grind" culture that glorifies working 24/7 and sacrificing health and integrity for success.

In my workshop series, I empower participants to release the "hustle and grind" mindset, center themselves around wellness, and boldly pursue a new journey where they are in the driver's seat of their life and work. As a creative leader, you have all the tools you need with your creative flow to access influence or income, but you only have one body, and taking care of it is essential. Because when you feel good, you do good - for yourself and for others.

Pictured: Connecting with a lovely participant in our workshop at NAWDP (National Association of Workforce Development Professionals).

So, what does wellness have to do with being a creative leader? Your team is a reflection of you and your values, and the work ethic you commit to is the same work ethic you instill in your employees. Studies have shown that engaged employees are committed to their organization's values, clearly understand what is expected of them at work, and feel that their opinions and contributions are important. Placing an emphasis on wellness in the workplace creates the necessary space for you and your team to not only create, but thrive. By honing your own wellness and merging your passion and purpose, you can guide your team to be the best they can be.

Start by tapping into your creative flow. Reflect on the question, "If I'm not feeling my best, how can I give my best?" Consider where you are on your life path and what creative tools you need to bring value to yourself and your team. Over the years of running my business and leading my team, I've learned when it's time to take a breather and refocus my energy. Whether it's writing, singing, dancing, or any other activity that personally brings me joy, centering myself in wellness allows me to uplift myself so I can continue to uplift my team and my community. 

This is what I like to call Creative Play. It’s a radical form of wellness that can be extremely beneficial to not only my mindset but also my team’s.

Because remember: You are leading by example. The path you carve for yourself will mirror the path for your team as they follow in your footsteps. You are an inspiration to them and to the future leaders among them. Give them room to seek wellness and create their own abundant lives.

CREATE

You know that foggy feeling you get when you’re trying to find the solution to a problem because you’re unsure how to approach it? Take that time to open yourself to your Inner Magic by doing something you enjoy — and watch how much easier the answers come to you.

COLLABORATE

We work better together - that’s just a fact! Fostering a community among your team isn’t just a phrase, but an essential tactic to bring balance to your company where everyone’s voice is heard and valued. 

THRIVE

This is the best part. 💚

Creative Play boosts Creative Leadership where we prioritize the well-being of ourselves, our employees; encourage work-life balance; and provide resources and support for mental and physical health. 

All of this creates a culture of wellness in our organizations where we thrive and flow in Creative Innovation. Doesn’t sound like the kind of place you want to be, Friend? 

So, let me ask you: How are you going to create the space to be the best Creative Leader you know you can be?