Self-Love Isn’t Just Personal—It’s a Leadership Skill
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Leadership and Self-Love: A Connection We Often Overlook
Valentine’s Day is about love and appreciation—but how often do we extend that same care to ourselves, especially as leaders?
As leaders, we constantly make decisions, support others, and drive results. It’s easy to fall into the habit of putting ourselves last, believing that the work won’t get done if we step away.
True leadership isn’t just about leading others—it’s about leading yourself first.
Too often, we push through, telling ourselves we’ll slow down later.
But here’s the truth:
If we don’t give ourselves permission to pause and realign, no one else will.
Next week, I’m taking my advice.
I’m stepping back from work for a few days—not just for rest, but to reset my environment and mindset. Because sometimes, the best leadership move isn’t pushing forward—it’s making space to realign.
Why Self-Love is Essential for Leadership
The idea of "self-love" might sound soft, but it’s a critical leadership skill. When you prioritize your well-being, you show up more energized, confident, and effective.
Here’s why self-love makes you a better leader:
✅ Self-awareness fuels better decisions. When you take time to reset, you gain clarity about your strengths, values, and purpose—leading with intention instead of reaction.
✅ Self-compassion helps you navigate challenges. Leadership comes with setbacks. Instead of being your worst critic, practicing self-compassion allows you to learn and grow without self-doubt.
✅ Boundaries protect your energy and impact. Saying yes to everything drains your time and focus. Leaders who respect their limits lead with purpose, not burnout.
✅ Modeling self-care gives your team permission to do the same. When you prioritize well-being, you create a culture where others feel empowered to do the same—resulting in happier, more engaged teams.
How to Practice Self-Love as a Leader
If you’ve been putting yourself last, here are five simple ways to start leading with more self-care and intention:
1. Align Your Leadership with Your Values
Misalignment creates exhaustion. Take time to reconnect with your purpose and vision. When your leadership reflects what truly matters to you, you’ll feel more energized and authentic in your role.
Ask yourself: Does how I’m leading today reflect the kind of leader I want to be?
2. Set Boundaries That Honor Your Energy
Burnout happens when leaders try to carry too much for too long. Protect your well-being by:
- Saying no to commitments that drain you.
- Creating work-life boundaries that allow for rest.
- Delegating instead of feeling like you have to do it all.
- Boundaries aren’t selfish—they are essential to sustaining your impact.
3. Celebrate Progress, Not Just Perfection
Many high-achieving leaders set impossibly high standards for themselves. But leadership is a journey, not a destination.
Practice self-love by recognizing your progress, not just perfection. Reflect on small wins, lessons learned, and the ways you’ve grown.
4. Invest in Your Own Growth and Well-Being
Self-care isn’t just about rest—it’s also about growth.
- Read books or take courses that inspire you.
- Seek coaching or mentorship to support your leadership development.
- Prioritize habits that keep you mentally and physically strong.
- When you invest in yourself, you show up stronger, wiser, and more resilient for those you lead.
5. Speak to Yourself Like You’d Speak to a Valued Team Member
Would you criticize your team the way you criticize yourself? Probably not. Yet many leaders struggle with negative self-talk and self-doubt.
Replace harsh self-criticism with self-encouragement.
Instead of: “I should be doing more.” → Try: “I’m doing the best I can, and that’s enough.”
Instead of: “I’m not a good enough leader.” → Try: “I’m learning and growing every day.”
How you talk to yourself shapes your confidence, presence, and leadership impact.
Lead Yourself First—So You Can Lead Others Better
This Valentine’s Day, I’m reminding myself (and hopefully you too) that self-care isn’t a luxury—it’s a leadership responsibility.
So next week, I’ll be stepping back—not just to rest, but to reset my space, clear mental clutter, and realign with what matters most.
If you're ready to take your leadership to the next level with purpose and clarity, I’d love to help. Let’s chat about what’s next for you.
What’s one act of self-leadership you can take today and/or next week to care for yourself?
LISA HOLDEN ROVERS is the Founder of Workplace Matters. She helps leaders have conversations that matter—building stronger teams and thriving workplace cultures. Through proven, practical coaching approaches and tools like Everything DiSC®, The Five Behaviors®, and Working Genius, Lisa equips leaders with the clarity, confidence, and commitment to grow their influence and elevate their teams.
Grow as a Leader and Thrive as a Team!
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