An experienced business leader has urged brokers to get in better shape – both physically and mentally – saying it will have positive repercussions on their bottom line and ability to lead.
“I believe that a balance between physical, emotional, inner well-being and relational aspects is important because such balance feeds into resilience and hope – being two essential attributes of any business leader,” says David Sharrock, who recently penned ‘Fighting for Enterprise Success’.
According to Sharrock, resilience is an essential part of our humanity and the ability to bounce back quickly and easily is a vital skill for brokers and anyone in the world of business.
“In any business, there will be manifest disappointments, setbacks, financial struggles, team issues, and overall struggles and fallout,” he says. “Being in great shape means that all adversity in business can be seen as a golden opportunity to overcome, change, improve and benefit the business.”
Sharrock also says if brokers commit to improving multiple facets of themselves, they’ll be able to foster more meaningful relationships.
“Any business leader must build healthy, life-giving relationships in order for their leadership to be highly effective,” he says. “This compels a leader to communicate effectively, listen attentively, empathise strongly and genuinely, and be highly effective overall in influencing and inspiring others.”
Of course, optimising relational skills requires a leader to have a deep understanding of their inner selves – as well as an awareness of how they’re affecting everyone connected to the business.
Physical
“Physically, if a leader is in great shape, there will be high energy with the leader being ready for anything and everything,” says Sharrock. “The effect of stress can be ameliorated.”
Emotional
“Emotionally, being in good shape involves personality, character, temperament, behaviour, values and principles, all directed toward a healthy attitude and aptitude,” says Sharrock. “The leader then can help shape a vibrant workplace culture.”
Inner
“With inner well-being, if we are at peace with ourselves, then our influence and inspiration as leaders will be so much more positive and effective, coming from a healthy, balanced understanding of self,” says Sharrock.
“If we already enjoy life-giving relationships with others in our private lives, then in our businesses we are better able to give of ourselves to others generously and to receive richly from them as they give so fully of themselves to us.”
