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Brain Circuits
Management myth busters: Do leaders need less sleep?
From Twitter founder Jack Dorsey (and current X owner Elon Musk) to former and incumbent Presidents Bill Clinton and Donald Trump, many leaders reportedly sleep less than us mere mortals – as little as three to four hours a night. The truth is, however, the restorative power of sleep is something that can help all of us.
Here are the 10 biggest leadership sleep misconceptions. Do any of these apply to you?
Misconception #1: I don’t have time to sleep
Many leaders believe sacrificing sleep is necessary to succeed; research shows the opposite. Successful leaders often prioritize high-quality sleep, getting more sleep than their team.
Misconception #2: Lack of sleep doesn’t impact my leadership
This stems from the belief that leadership quality is purely about experience – but research shows that leaders engage in more abusive behavior after a poor night’s sleep than after a good one.
Misconception #3: Being tired has no impact on my team
Inadequate sleep means leaders unintentionally lower team engagement and productivity. Rested leaders model well-being, boosting collaboration and satisfaction across teams. Sleep shapes a high-performance culture, directly affecting outcomes.
Misconception #4: Sleep doesn’t impair my ability to inspire others
Research shows that sleep-deprived leaders are 10% less inspiring, reducing team motivation. Rested leaders energize others, rallying teams toward achieving shared goals.
Misconception #5: My sleep pattern has no relation to that of my team members
Leaders are role models – when you come into work sleep-deprived, you signal to others that sleep is not important. As research shows, well-rested teams have well-rested leaders!
Misconception #6: My lack of sleep doesn’t impact others’ attitudes towards me
Exhaustion affects how others perceive you. Sleep-deprived leaders seem reactive and unapproachable, reducing collaboration. Rested leaders create positivity, trust, and engagement within their teams.
Misconception #7: Regardless of how tired I am, I can still make good decisions
Sleep-deprived leaders face impaired judgment and impulsivity. Sleep strengthens executive functions like focus, memory, and self-control, enabling leaders to make sound, strategic decisions.
Misconception #8: Bad sleep does not make me a bad person
Being sleep-deprived weakens self-control, increasing impulsive and unethical behavior. It can even make you more likely to lie or cheat. Rested leaders are more likely to uphold integrity, acting in line with their values.
Misconception #9: Being tired does not stop me from taking initiative
Sleep deprivation saps motivation, reducing proactiveness and problem-solving. Rest recharges energy, fostering readiness to tackle challenges head-on.
Misconception #10: Sleep does not make me more creative
Rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep boosts creativity by connecting ideas. Sleep-deprived leaders default to routine solutions. Well-rested leaders innovate, driving fresh perspectives and breakthroughs.
Key takeaway
Leaders thrive on quality sleep. Skimping on rest compromises performance, decision-making, and influence. Prioritize sleep and unlock your full leadership potential – better decisions, stronger teams, and higher impact begin with a good night’s sleep.
See Part 2 of this two-part series on how to correct poor sleep habits.
Further reading
Relaxation techniques you may be missing
A good night’s sleep will help you to make better strategic decisions
Authors
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