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.
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.
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.
Research shows that sleep-deprived leaders are 10% less inspiring, reducing team motivation. Rested leaders energize others, rallying teams toward achieving shared goals.
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!
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.
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.
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.
Sleep deprivation saps motivation, reducing proactiveness and problem-solving. Rest recharges energy, fostering readiness to tackle challenges head-on.
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.
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.
Relaxation techniques you may be missing
A good night’s sleep will help you to make better strategic decisions
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