A healthy leader replicates and attracts healthy followers. And the converse is true as well: an unhealthy leader replicates and attracts those who are unhealthy.
In order to be effective, we as leaders must be healthy in how we think, how we process, how we care for ourselves and those closest to us, how we treat our teams, how we deal with challenges and how we communicate.

Here are some questions to ask yourself to help you identify where you might be able to improve your health — and ultimately your ability to lead.

1. Do you have daily quiet time to reflect, think and meditate or pray?
2. Do you have margin in your day?
3. Do you regularly eat at your desk or in the car?
4. Do you feel at peace most of the time?
5. Would those around you say that you’re a healthy balance of both truth and grace?
6. 6. Do you communicate in ways that cause others to feel that they must live or perform up to your expectations or do you help them to see what is possible? (Thank you, Ben Zander!)
7. Do you think before you react in times of challenge?
8. Do you bring a calming peace to those around you or do you cause them angst and nervousness?
9. Do you exercise at least three times a week?
10. Is water you drink of choice throughout the day?
11. Are you getting at least 7 hours of sleep per night?
12. Are you experiencing real relational intimacy with those closest to you?
13. Are you finding time to play and recreate?
14. Do you have time in your day where you can easily relax?
15. Do you have plans that you review regularly that help you stay on track and aware of what matters most in your business and your life?
16. Do you feel joy and passion more than you feel unrest and stress?
17. Do you live, love and lead from a foundation of looking for ways to give and add value to those around you more than looking for ways to further promote or protect yourself?

As we come to the close of another year, I challenge you to take time to reflect on these questions. What one or two areas can you identify opportunities to improve in?

Write them down, include them into your Life Plan or Business Plan and please share them with me by commenting on this post. I would love to know how you are going to take steps to being healthier in 2012. I will do the same and know that I have already identified some great opportunities to improve my own health as well.

That’s it for 2011! I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and a super New Year!

Note: This post is part of a series on Increasing Your Leadership Capacity.
Step 1: Own Your Role

Cheers,