Are you leading yourself as well as you are leading others?

Business owner. Cheerleader. Coach. Advisor. Problem solver.

You wear all these hats and more for your team, your clients, and your business.

But what about you?

Here’s the thing… you can’t keep leading others well if you’re not leading yourself.

“Leader, lead thyself” can sound a little vague. But when you reframe it as “Leader, serve thyself,” it becomes crystal clear what needs to happen.

For those of us who tend to put others first, this might feel selfish. But it’s not. In fact, it’s one of the most strategic things you can do for your business.

Here’s why.

Your Team Is Watching

I once gave a team member a full pep talk about setting boundaries—right after I’d worked into the evening, skipped lunch, and rescheduled my own doctor’s appointment.

The advice was solid. The modeling? Not so much.

Your team is constantly observing how you treat yourself. If you’re perpetually overbooked, always “on,” and never saying no, your team starts to assume that’s what leadership looks like. They’ll either imitate it, leading to burnout and resentment, or silently resent it. Neither outcome is good for your business or your team’s morale.

Self-Leadership Isn’t Indulgent—It’s Essential

Let’s be clear: self-leadership isn’t just about bubble baths and spa days (though there’s certainly no shame if that helps you recharge!).

It’s about understanding what your body and soul truly need to show up as your best self. It’s about making decisions that support your long-term vision, not just putting out the next urgent fire.

This means making intentional choices that support your well-being, even when it feels like there’s no time.

Your Business Culture Starts with You

The example you set as a leader profoundly shapes your business and those around you.

• If you block out time for strategic thinking, your team will feel empowered to do the same.
• If you model clear communication, your team will follow suit.
• If you name and respect your own boundaries, your team will learn to maintain healthy boundaries too.

This isn’t just about personal habits; it’s about building a sustainable, empowered culture within your organization. It all starts with you.

Time to start putting it in practice…

Reflect and Recharge

Here are a few prompts to help you reflect on your own self-leadership:

• If my team mirrored my habits, what would that culture look like?
• What’s one boundary I can honor this week—for my time, energy, or well-being?
• When can I take 90 minutes this week to step out of the weeds and reset?

Takeaways:

• Serving yourself is not selfish, it’s strategic. When you prioritize your own well-being, you’re more present, you make better decisions, and you create a more empowered, sustainable team.

If you continue to put the airplane mask on others before yourself, you’ll quietly find yourself burnt out.

So let’s make sure you’re leading with intention to make sure this next decade keeps you, your team, and your business strong.

Check out my upcoming course on designing your next decade.

Here to help you-help you,

Laurie

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