World Mental Health Day: Can you lead effectively without prioritising wellbeing

The world watched with bated breath as Simone Biles returned to the Olympic stage in Paris this August. Three years prior, she had bravely prioritised her mental well-being by dropping out midway from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics when her body and mind fell out of sync. She sparked a global conversation and received massive criticism from the public.

This year, Biles not only competed in Paris but dominated the sport and conversations with her performance. She also openly credited her return to being “in a really good spot mentally.” Her dedication to weekly therapy, which she described as “kinda religious,” fueled her athletic prowess, earning her three gold and one silver medal in Paris and solidifying her position as the most decorated American gymnast of all time.

This remarkable comeback underscores a crucial truth: Mental health is no longer a private concern or a sign of weakness. It is a strategic asset that defines longevity, clarity, and peak performance. Neglecting mental health can unravel even the most driven and competent leaders. Conversely, embracing and prioritising mental well-being can elevate one’s leadership capability and life as a whole. For high-performing executives, mental health isn’t something to be addressed when everything starts crumbling. Like any other valuable resource, it’s something to fiercely protect from the outset.

As an executive coach who has worked closely with women in leadership, I have seen the intense stress and pressure such positions create. This makes it crucial to prioritise mental health for sustained well-being and optimal performance. Here are some keys to help you do just that:

1. Set Clear Boundaries

No matter how demanding or stressful your job is, establishing clear work-life boundaries is paramount. This will allow you to have moments when you totally disconnect from work to recharge which is essential for mental clarity and decision making. Clarify what you need for your well-being, whether it is time for family, exercise, or personal interest. Be determined to stick to these boundaries even under pressure.

2. Enable Power strides with Mental Resilience:

Too many executives still view mental health as a soft issue, something that belongs in the margins of leadership. That mentality can be dangerous, high-stakes leadership requires peak mental performance: that is, optimising your abilities at their highest. Treat your mental health with the utmost importance by building a mental health routine into your leadership strategy. Schedule time for self-reflection, therapy, or coaching like you would for quarterly reports or other work responsibilities.

3. Time management and Prioritization

Managing time effectively and prioritisation are essential skills for leaders in high stake positions. I have found The Eisenhower Matrix very helpful in this regard. It sorts tasks into four categories based on urgency and importance. Urgent and important tasks that must be done immediately. Important, not urgent which can be scheduled for later. Urgent, not important which should be delegated if possible, and not urgent, not important which should be eliminated or deprioritized. By mastering time management, leaders can maximise their productivity, reduce stress, and focus on high-impact tasks.

4. Delegate and Empower

It is essential to trust your team as a leader. Delegating and empowering your team is a critical leadership skill that not only lightens your workload but also promotes growth, accountability, and trust within the team. Identify tasks that do not require your direct involvement and delegate them to team members. This will help them develop new skills, gain experience, as well as increase their leadership potential. Effective delegation fosters a collaborative environment where others can step up, reducing the burden on your mental health.

5. Redefine Vulnerability:

Gone are the days when leaders were expected to wear a mask of invincibility. Today’s most powerful executives are those who lead with authenticity and vulnerability. Acknowledging your own challenges with mental health doesn’t undermine your authority; it humanises you. When you demonstrate that you are attuned to your mental well-being, you signal to your team that it’s okay to prioritise theirs. It shows your team that you are not just leading for performance but for longevity and well-being.

Ask yourself What kind of leader do I want to be five, ten years from now? Because you are not just an executive. Your God-defined calling says you are a trailblazer, a visionary, a high-productivity leader, and the most powerful woman in the room.

As one, you should redefine mental health without apology. You should fiercely protect your mind and redefine success on your terms.

It’s time to stop glorifying exhaustion and start leading with mental clarity. You deserve nothing less.

Matel-Okoh is an award-winning attorney and executive leader admitted to both the New York State Bar and the Nigerian Bar Association with over thirty years of experience