The 10th Commandment Of Highly Effective Leadership: Live A Balanced And Fulfilling Life

According to a surveyby Korn Ferry, two-thirds of nearly 2,000 professionals surveyed said their stress levels at work are higher than they were five years ago. Seventy-six percent said stress at work has had a negative impact on their personal relationships, and 66% said they have lost sleep over it.

It seems that the higher up on the ladder the leader is, the more stress they have, and the more it affects their emotional and physical health.

The number one stressor I hear from most leaders is related to their people's performance, like employees not taking full responsibility for their duties, resulting in missed deadlines or submitting incomplete assignments, etc. However, in reality, most if not all employees want to do the right thing and are willing to be taught. The problem is nobody is taking the time to teach them. Leaders might be neglecting to delegate or unable to provide clear direction and expectations. Even when I explain to leaders the reasons they are getting stressed out, they still insist on finger-pointing.

Remember that when you point your finger to blame others, three fingers point back at you!

The hard truth is that most founders and entrepreneurs have a very hard time letting go and letting others take on responsibility. The more they are told to let go, the more they hold on. Most don't trust anyone with their business. It's their baby. The challenge is immense for these entrepreneurs. It causes them stress, sleepless nights, even depression.

Having a balanced life will allow you to enjoy your leadership role without feeling stress and other ailments due to not being able to step away from the day to day of the business. When one has a balanced and fulfilled life, they realize that there is so much more to life than their business or career. Life has a much richer meaning when there is an appreciation for other aspects, such as family, community, helping others, doing impactful work and having an attitude of gratitude. You appreciate what you do have and don't let the lack of what you don't bother you.

How can you develop this appreciation?

Stephen Covey says to ask yourself the following:

• How would you diet and exercise if you had a heart attack?

• How would you act if you knew you only had one year to live?

• How would you think if you knew that your knowledge would be obsolete in a year or two?

• How would you speak if you knew everything you said would be heard by others?

Sadly, most entrepreneurs don't appreciate the value of this challenge until it's way too late. By then, many have lost their cherished relationships, their physical and/or mental health and their opportunity to create a legacy.

I recently contracted COVID-19 and had never been more ill in my life. I had time to contemplate, meditate and really think about the important things.

Are we really destined to continue the rat race forever? Or can we make the changes we need to? What happens when the world knocks us down flat?

As a religious person, I asked myself, am I ready to meet my maker? Am I ready to say that I've done everything I needed to do in this world? Have I repaired every relationship I could? Am I the person I want to be remembered for and who will inspire others to be the best they can be?

Every entrepreneur faces the same challenge, and there is no need to feel guilty or like a failure. You're only a failure if you don't ask for the right help.

Remember the words of Rabbi Harold Kushner: "No one ever said on their deathbed 'I wish I'd spent more time at the office.'"