As leaders, we often focus on developing skills, crafting strategies, and building systems to enhance performance. But how often do we pause to consider the mental fitness needed to sustain and elevate our leadership over time?
At our recent Leader Fitness Workshop, we explored an intriguing premise: the best leaders don’t just lead teams—they lead themselves with clarity, resilience, and purpose. This starts with developing mental fitness; defined as the capacity to respond to life’s challenges with a positive, rather than negative, mindset.
Here’s a glimpse into the Workshop’s most compelling insights:
The Three Enemies of Leadership
Every leader faces internal obstacles that can derail their progress:
1. Judgment – That inner critic who undermines our confidence.
2. Cynicism – The resistance to believe in others’ potential.
3. Fear – The paralyzing doubts that hold us back.
Building awareness of these internal “voices” is a powerful first step in working with them. As one Workshop participant put it, “It’s like discovering the volume control on my negative thoughts—I don’t have to listen to them at peak volume.”
Five Sage Powers to Tap Into
Mental fitness goes beyond quieting negativity; it involves activating core strengths that foster thriving relationships, peak performance, and inner peace. The Workshop outlined five sage powers every leader can cultivate:
1. Empathy — Understand others with genuine compassion.
2. Exploration — Approach challenges with curiosity and openness.
3. Navigation — Steer through complexity with wisdom.
4. Innovation – Find creative, experimental solutions.
5. Activation — Take bold, courageous action.
Each power is like a muscle—strengthened through repetition, practice, and reflection.
Intercepting the Saboteur in 10 Seconds
One of the most practical takeaways from the Workshop was learning to intercept the saboteur in real-time. The key? Focused, intentional self-command.
- Negative emotions, while useful in short bursts, should not linger.
- You can regain control over your mindset by taking just 10 seconds to pause, breathe, and refocus.
Reframing Leadership for the Future
Leadership is not about perfection; it’s about progress. When leaders adopt a sage perspective, challenges transform into opportunities to ask:
- What am I learning here?
- What power am I growing?
- What power am I growing?
This mindset doesn’t just build better leaders—it builds stronger teams and more resilient organizations.
Taking It Forward
As you reflect on your own leadership journey, consider these questions:
- What voices of judgment, cynicism, or fear hold you back?
- Which of the five sage powers could you grow to lead more effectively?
- How will you practice mental fitness today?
Leadership is not static—it’s a dynamic, evolving practice. And when we focus on building mental fitness, we not only LEAD better; we LIVE better.
Let’s keep growing together!
Unlock Your Leadership Potential: Free Workshop on Mental Fitness
As we enter 2025, we offer our beloved subscribers a complimentary New Year’s gift!
Please join us for our Leader Fitness Workshop, a free, dynamic session designed to strengthen your leadership skills from the inside out.
Details: Choose to Attend Either Virtually or In-Person
📅 Tuesday, January 28, 2025 – Virtual Session📍 Hosted by Kimberley Sherwood via Zoom
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time (Zoom room opens at 8:45 a.m.)
📅 Thursday, January 30, 2025 – In-Person Session
📍 Hosted by Kimberley Sherwood at the University of Colorado Colorado Springs (UCCS) downtown (102 South Tejon Street, Large Classroom)
9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. Mountain Time (doors open at 8:30 a.m.; coffee and pastries provided).
Leadership isn’t just about leading others—it starts with leading yourself. Don’t miss this opportunity to step into 2025 with an investment in yourself and recharge your batteries to grow your bold, purposeful leadership capacity.
Reserve Your Seat Today!
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