When I consider the essentials of life, my mind responds physiologically and psychologically, thinking about food, water, rest, and human connection. These base needs are essential to living well. You may be able to neglect or deplete that for a while, but you'll never operate at your best.
Life and leadership have significant parallels.
When we consider leadership, defining a base understanding is essential. Many known and popular definitions are based on data, theory, and practice. For our consideration will use Northhouse; leadership is a process whereby an individual influences a group of individuals to achieve a common goal (Northhouse, 2021, p. 6). Process implies a developmental progression with a start, middle, and end toward a goal. Yet, leadership includes a group of people working together towards a common goal.
Life may be compared to an athlete running a race from start to finish as a solo effort. However, the team is dependent on the performance of one another to attain the goal. Leadership may be the same goal but run with members of a relay race handing the baton for every leg of the race towards the finish.
Similar to life, leaders must understand the base needs of their people. When leaders understand and care for their followers, they strengthen their influence through trust, loyalty, and belonging. Former Starbucks executive Howard Behar tells his personal story of wearing one hat about what's essential for leadership authenticity. Attempting to be someone you do not create an internal conflict by trying to be someone you are not. Authentic leadership begins with awareness by leading yourself well (Cameron & Green, 2017). When you can care for yourself, it enables you to care for others. That's essential to leadership. Leaders who neglect themselves for too long will limit their ability to influence others and slow their progress toward a common goal.
The well-being of people comes first before products or profit. Profit is critical for the organization's long-term sustainability, but profit is achieved while honoring and caring for the people who make profit possible. Such a statement comes with a cost. Yet, such a cost may be better viewed as an investment into the human capital with an organization, stakeholders, and partners (Rego et al., 2012). Building human capital by valuing and caring for people is essential for effective leadership.
Reference
Cameron, E., & Green, M. (2017). Essential leadership: Develop your leadership qualities through theory and practice (First ed.). Kogan Page Ltd.
Leadership lessons learned at starbucks: It’s not about the coffee. Video, A. P. (Director). (2009).[Video/DVD] Ripon, WI: https://search.alexanderstreet.com/view/work/bibliographic_entity%7Cvideo_work%7C2635423
Northouse, P. G. (2021). Leadership: Theory and Practice (9th Edition). SAGE Publications, Inc. (US). https://capella.vitalsource.com/books/9781071834473
Rego, A., Sousa, F., Marques, C., & Cunha, M. P. e. (2012). Authentic leadership promoting employees' psychological capital and creativity. Journal of Business Research, 65(3), 429-437. https://10.1016/j.jbusres.2011.10.003