Three tools to help you become a more sustainable leader

Business and people – without losing either

Elin Arnell trained in HR and has spent 15 years in leadership and CEO roles. She is ambitious and results-driven, but convinced that the whole person must fit: when people feel well, they perform well. And managers don’t need to be perfect.

Tool 1: The life-enjoyment plan

“What” goals for what matters across life, three to five concrete “how” goals for each (such as protecting bedtime with the kids), and a direction for two to five and five to ten years – so you can let go of guilt for what you’re not doing right now. Cross things out when they no longer fit.

Tool 2: Wellbeing questions in every check-in

Stigma makes people wait too long to speak up. Add one to three wellbeing questions to regular one-to-ones, before anything is wrong: How are you? What gives and drains energy right now? Do you feel you can raise how you feel? What do you need from me? Elin shares how an employee who fainted on his way to work told her immediately – because the conversation was already open. Often, simply listening is enough.

Tool 3: Sustainable leadership in the leadership team

When stress rose, Elin’s team listened to a podcast episode, discussed what worked for each person, chose voluntary changes and reported back. Choices ranged from weekly reflection time to getting back to basics like sleep and exercise – and trust in the team grew.

Key takeaways

• Leaders need reflection time and a plan for their own energy.
• Make wellbeing a natural part of every check-in.
• Listening is often the most important thing a manager can do.
• Leadership teams can support each other by sharing tools and following up.
• Strategy and people must move in step – all the way to the board.