How to Take Care of Yourself When Managing Others

These practical self-care tips will help you navigate the challenges of managing others while maintaining your well-being.

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Managing a successful career, family responsibilities and a social life can leave little time for self-care. And as a busy manager, it's easy to fall into the trap of thinking that self-care is a luxury that you can't afford.

However, if you change your mindset and see self-care as a necessity for maintaining peak performance, you'll realize that there are plenty of opportunities to take care of yourself. It's important to remember that as a leader, your team looks to you for guidance and inspiration, and taking care of yourself is essential to being able to lead effectively. 

Here are five ways you can take care of yourself when managing others.

 

Prioritize your well-being

When was the last time you prioritized your own well-being? Exercise, healthy eating, and restful sleep are all essential components of self-care. Research shows that regular exercise can reduce stress and anxiety, improve mood and increase energy levels. Schedule time for regular physical activity, whether that's hitting the gym, going for a run, or taking a yoga class.

Eating a balanced diet that includes whole foods, fruits and vegetables, and lean protein can help to boost energy levels and improve overall health. Make healthy food choices a priority by meal planning and bringing healthy snacks to work.

Get enough restful sleep. Aim for seven to eight hours of sleep per night, and establish a consistent sleep routine that includes a wind-down period before bed. Taking short breaks throughout the day can also help to improve productivity and reduce stress. Schedule regular breaks into your workday, whether that's taking a walk outside or simply stepping away from your desk for a few minutes.

 

Self-reflection 

Self-reflection is an essential part of leadership development where you dedicate time to consider your role as a leader. It involves reflecting on your current skill set, strengths, weaknesses, and behaviour patterns as well as how you impact and influence others.

Here are some tips for practising self-reflection:

 

• Schedule regular reflection time —  Schedule time in your calendar each week or month for self-reflection. Treat this time as a priority and commit to using it for reflection.

 

• Ask yourself questions —  Use a set of reflective questions to guide your self-reflection. For example, you might ask yourself, "What went well this week? What didn't go well? What could I have done differently?" Reflecting on these questions can help you to identify patterns and areas for improvement.

 

• Write in a journal — Writing down your thoughts and reflections can help to clarify your thinking and provide a record of your growth over time. Consider keeping a journal specifically for self-reflection.

 

• Seek feedback from others —  Ask your team members, colleagues, or mentors for feedback on your performance as a manager. Be open to constructive criticism and use this feedback to inform your self-reflection.

 

• Identify your strengths and weaknesses —  Take time to reflect on your strengths and weaknesses as a manager. Identify areas where you excel and areas where you need improvement.

 

• Set goals —  Use your self-reflection to set goals for your future growth as a manager. Create specific, measurable, and actionable goals that will help you to improve in areas where you need it most.

Remember, self-reflection is an ongoing practice that requires time and commitment. By making self-reflection a regular part of your routine, you'll be better equipped to grow and improve as a leader.

 

Set clear boundaries

Have you ever said "yes" to a request or task, even though you knew you didn't have the time or energy to take it on? Setting boundaries is one of the most important things you can do to take care of yourself when managing others. 

Achieving a balance between work and personal life is crucial for maintaining a healthy lifestyle. If the scale tips too much on one side, the other side might crumble down, leading to a disaster. Many try attaining this balance but end up failing during the process. 

 

Read also: Tips for achieving and maintaining a healthy work-life balance 

 

Setting clear boundaries as a manager can be challenging, but it's an important step in taking care of yourself and your team. Here are some tips for setting boundaries:

 

• Define your priorities —  Determine what tasks and responsibilities are most important for you to focus on. Make a list of these priorities and use it as a guide when deciding whether to take on new tasks or requests.

 

• Communicate your limits —  Be clear with your team and colleagues about what you can and can't take on. If you don't have the bandwidth to take on a new project or task, let your team know and provide a clear explanation for why you can't take it on.

 

• Say "no" when necessary —  Saying "no" can be difficult, but it's important to set boundaries and protect your time and energy. If a request doesn't align with your priorities, or you don't have the capacity to take it on, politely decline.

 

• Schedule time for self-care —  Set aside dedicated time for exercise, hobbies, and other self-care activities. Treat this time as non-negotiable and prioritize it just as you would any other work-related task.

 

• Stick to your boundaries —  It's important to hold yourself accountable to the boundaries you've set. Avoid over-committing or taking on tasks that aren't aligned with your priorities, and be firm when communicating your limits to others.

Setting boundaries is a process and may take some trial and error to get right. Be patient with yourself and your team, and be willing to adjust your boundaries as needed to ensure you're taking care of yourself and your responsibilities as a manager.

 

Embrace flexibility

As a manager, you're often called upon to be adaptable and flexible in the face of change. However, it's important to extend this same flexibility to yourself. This means being open to new ideas and approaches, taking risks, and learning from your mistakes. By embracing flexibility, you'll be better able to handle the uncertainty and ambiguity that often comes with managing others.

Here’s how you can get started:

 

• Be open-minded —  Adopt a growth mindset and be open to new ideas and approaches. Recognize that what has worked in the past may not be effective in the present, and be willing to adapt to change.

 

• Encourage creativity and innovation — Encourage your team to think creatively and come up with new ideas. Create a culture where it's okay to take risks and make mistakes.

 

• Practice agile management — Agile management is an approach that emphasizes flexibility, adaptability, and collaboration. Adopting an agile approach can help you to respond quickly to changing circumstances and improve team productivity.

 

• Embrace technology —  Embrace technology and use it to your advantage. Leverage technology tools that can help you to manage your team more effectively, collaborate remotely, and stay organized.

 

• Foster a culture of trust — Create an environment of trust where your team feels comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns with you. Encourage open communication and create a safe space for your team to express their opinions.

Embracing flexibility not only benefits your team but also helps you grow and develop as a leader. So, start implementing these tips today to embrace flexibility and take your management skills to the next level.

 

Build strong relationships

Managing others can be a lonely job, but it doesn't have to be. Building strong relationships with your team, peers, and other stakeholders can provide you with the support and connection you need to thrive. This might involve setting up regular check-ins with your team members, seeking out a mentor or coach, or attending networking events. By building strong relationships, you'll be better equipped to handle the challenges of managing others.

Don’t know where to start? Don’t fret. Here are some tips to help you out:

 

• Develop good communication skills —  As a manager, you should develop good communication skills and create an environment where your team feels comfortable communicating with you.

 

• Be approachable —  Make yourself available to your team. Create an open-door policy and encourage your team members to come to you with any questions or concerns.

 

• Show appreciation —  Show appreciation for your team members' hard work and contributions. Recognize their achievements and express gratitude for their efforts.

 

• Be a good listener —  Take the time to listen to your team members' ideas, concerns, and feedback. Show that you value their opinions and are willing to take their feedback into consideration.

 

• Build trust —  Be honest, transparent, and reliable in your interactions with your team members. Follow through on your commitments and be consistent in your actions.

 

• Empower your team —  Empower your team by delegating responsibilities and giving them opportunities to take ownership of their work. Encourage their professional growth and provide them with the support they need to succeed.

By implementing these tips, you can create a positive and productive work environment where your team members feel valued and supported.

 

Conclusion

Self-care is an essential component of effective management. By setting boundaries, prioritizing your well-being, engaging in self-reflection, building strong relationships, and embracing flexibility, you'll be able to effectively manage others while also taking care of yourself. Taking care of yourself isn't selfish - it's an investment in your own success and the success of your team.