
Listen up! 5 techniques to build a more powerful speaking voice
Mastering your vocal presence is an essential dimension of leadership. Try these simple exercises to develop a more commanding presence that will resonate deeply with your audience. ...

by Susan Goldsworthy Published January 4, 2022 in Brain Circuits • 2 min read
As we strive to become better managers, better leaders, and better people in increasingly uncertain circumstances, we may overlook some of the simplest things that we can do to improve our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health.
Stop working
That’s it. Take a break, take a nap, get enough sleep, make sure there is time in each day for the things you enjoy that don’t involve work. Leaders must set this example for everyone else in the company. Getting enough sleep is one of the healthiest habits you can establish.
Elite athletes are not constantly training. They understand the necessity of rest and recovery for high performance. It’s time for business leaders to recognize this is vital for their people and companies to thrive as well.
Connect with your body
Stand up (do it now). Take four deep breaths. Spend just a few minutes stretching then take a few more deep breaths. This is a small thing that can make a massive difference. Try this several times a day at work and at home.
Reflect on what you eat and drink. Attune to what your body needs; you would never dream of putting the wrong fuel into your car, yet our bodies have to last much longer than any automobile. Break unhealthy dietary habits by substituting healthy ones instead.
Share everyday passions
Capture things that make you happy. Reflect on your everyday passions – what gives you energy? This can be enjoying a cup of tea or coffee, walking your dog, cooking a meal, hiking, playing with your kids, communing with nature, reading a book, watching a movie… Whatever it is you enjoy, write it down.
Share this with your team and encourage them to share their everyday passions too. Seek out, appreciate, and share the magic in the mundane.
Good health and wellbeing are critical for both people and the planet. The world is changing and it’s time to adapt to more sustainable ways of leading people and conducting business. Leaders must have the courage to create a “secure base space” that stimulates a play to thrive mindset. Â

Affiliate Professor of Leadership, Communications and Organizational Change at IMD
Susan Goldsworthy OLY is an Affiliate Professor of Leadership, Communications and Organizational Change at IMD. Co-author of three award-winning books, she is also an Olympic swimmer. She is a highly qualified executive coach and is trained in numerous psychometric assessments. She is Director of the IMD Executive Coaching Certificate and Program Director of the Leading Sustainable Change program.

9 hours ago • by Albrecht Enders, Robin de Haas in Brain Circuits
Mastering your vocal presence is an essential dimension of leadership. Try these simple exercises to develop a more commanding presence that will resonate deeply with your audience. ...

November 25, 2025 • by Cindy Wolpert in Brain Circuits
Longevity was once seen by traditionalists as a proxy for good leadership, but successive generations attach less value to length of time served. As with anything, there are benefits and disadvantages. Here...

November 20, 2025 • by Richard Roi in Brain Circuits
Progressing internal talent helps hedge against new CEO failure, but it all hinges on integrating leadership development and succession planning. Ric Roi identifies the warning signs for organizations that fail to put...

November 19, 2025 • by Howard H. Yu in Brain Circuits
Leaders are under pressure to project certainty and to know all the answers. Answer the following questions honestly, then check out the reasons why, if you don’t know the answer, it’s often...
Explore first person business intelligence from top minds curated for a global executive audience