Getting enough sleep is essential for leaders to increase their productivity, inspire their teams, and achieve success. Let’s learn more about this in this article.
Get enough sleep to be a better leader
We’ve all heard this advice from our health teachers and our doctors at our annual checkups, that getting eight hours of sleep is essential for our health. But many of us do the opposite. It’s become commonplace to get less sleep but still be able to function. Some may say that instead of sleeping to rest, why not go out and party at night instead? But our bodies don’t think that way.
“42% of global leaders sleep an average of 6 hours or less.”
Many people see sleep deprivation as a sign of dedication, but the truth is, you are sacrificing your health. Lack of sleep leads to poor decision-making, lack of self-control, and poor collaboration with others, making the work environment toxic. When mindfulness is reduced, work ethic is reduced.
“Sleep deprivation may be seen as a sign of dedication.”
Sticking to a regular bedtime and wake-up time is a great way to relax. Observe your sleep patterns and adjust your habits accordingly. If you prioritize sleep, you may become a more effective leader and inspire your team. Think about how much sleep you get each night. Although the Department of Labor recommends an 8-hour workday, most of us work more than 16 hours each day. Some people may be used to European time, so they choose to work at night and stop working when the sun comes up. This is not a matter of pride, but a detriment to your health and productivity.
“Think about how the cost of not getting rest is more expensive than the income from not getting rest.”
We all know the benefits of sleep, but not many know the negative effects of lack of sleep on the body. Adequate sleep replenishes the brain with glucose and removes waste products from the brain. If you don’t get enough sleep, this process doesn’t happen, and your brain becomes overloaded with waste products. Many studies have shown that sleep deprivation has a negative impact on work performance. But how can we change our sleeping habits?
The effects of insufficient sleep
Scholars have found that sleep quality has a profound effect on a person’s personality and behavior throughout the day. Studies have shown that supervisors who don’t get enough sleep tend to be impatient, irritable, and less respectable. They’re also more likely to engage in unethical behavior.
“There is a price to pay if you don’t get enough sleep and then go to work.”
A study of 40 leaders over a three-month period found that sleep-deprived leaders were more impatient, irritable, and less interactive with others. This effect did not diminish, but rather continued to cause damage. Sleep-deprived leaders were also found to be more likely to exhibit inappropriate behavior the next day, which affected the respect of their subordinates.
“Devalue sleep”
Leaders who devalue sleep may have a negative impact on their mood and behavior with their subordinates. Some may say sleep is not important and ask for work to be turned in at 3 a.m. or contact them on the weekend. In fact, leaders should be getting enough sleep and encouraging their teams to do the same, not praising employees who routinely work late as hardworking or dedicated.
“Subordinates’ morality may decline due to sleep.”
Leaders are the most visible role models for promoting sleep habits. If leaders devalue sleep, their subordinates are more likely to follow suit. Research has also found that teaching subordinates to devalue sleep makes them more likely to engage in unethical behavior on the job.
“The Overlooked Fix”
Fortunately, there are solutions that can help leaders improve the quality and quantity of their sleep. Many methods can be found on the Internet, but most are not being used. Some simple things you can do are to avoid certain substances, such as coffee, tea, or caffeinated drinks, at least 3 hours before bedtime, and to avoid exercising before bedtime. You should also practice meditation to relax and reduce anxiety.
“Napping can speed up cognitive processing.”
Two tools that leaders often overlook are the ones that can help them be more productive. The first is treating sleep disorders. Most people who suffer from these problems never seek treatment. If you’re overweight, snore, and still tired despite getting enough sleep, you may have sleep apnea, and you should see a doctor. Another often overlooked tool is napping. A 20-minute nap can revitalize your brain and improve your work performance.
Sleep is extremely important for leaders.
- Create good sleep habits : Set a regular bedtime and wake time every day, even on weekends, to help your body get used to it and fall asleep more easily.
- Avoid stimulants : Avoid caffeinated beverages, such as coffee or tea, at least 3 hours before bedtime.
- Exercise regularly : Exercise helps you stay fit and sleep better, but avoid strenuous exercise right before bedtime.
- Create a good sleep environment : Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and cool to help you sleep better.
- Take short naps : Taking a 20-30 minute nap during the day can help refresh your brain and improve your work efficiency.
Make sleep an important part of your and your team’s life. Not only does sleep help you be healthier, it also has a positive impact on your work performance and relationships with coworkers. Create a work culture that values getting enough rest so that you and your team can perform at your best and enjoy your work.
Conclusion
The current work environment forces people to measure their dedication to work by the total time they spend on work. Not sleeping while working is an indication of how dedicated they are to their work. Not getting enough sleep because they party at night but still waking up to work is an indication of responsibility. Our work life is slowly eating away at our bodies.
Remember that the quality of your and your team’s work is determined entirely by sleep. If you’re sleep deprived, you’re making mistakes, you’re disrespectful and rude. The price you pay is that your subordinates won’t be able to look at you with the same respect. At the same time, if you pass on the idea of devaluing sleep to your subordinates, you’re creating an ineffective team and ineffective results for yourself.
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