How to Cope with Depression While in A Leadership Position
Depression is one of the most debilitating diseases in the world, and managers and leaders are definitely not immune. Mental health organisations often call on employers and bosses to create mentally healthy workplaces for their employees, but who looks after the leaders? At Psylegal, we are highly experienced in helping leaders with stress management counselling and depression treatment in Melbourne. If you are in a leadership position and hit by depression, what are the best ways of dealing with depression and stress management so you can still perform at a high level?
Why Leaders Are High Risk
Many people seem to forget that those in leadership positions are still human. All people, whether leaders or not, get sad, can struggle, face self-doubt and have a breaking point. Even some of history’s greatest leaders suffered from depression. Leaders have loads of responsibility on their shoulders, and that includes the lives and welfare of others. Whenever a decision is made some will agree, and others will disagree, so there’ll inevitably be conflict. Self-doubt can also arise as there will always a different way something could have been done or handled. The high demands of a leadership role, uncertainties, conflict along with the squeeze on time for self-care and the fact that it can be lonely at the top, all combine to increase the risk of leaders developing mental health conditions, such as depression.
How Leaders Can Care for Their Mental Health
Promote Open Communication – Being a leader can be isolating, which can exacerbate depression symptoms. You may often feel like no one wants to approach you and you may be topic of rumours and gossip spreading in the office. You need to reverse that thinking. If your colleagues aren’t talking to you because they’re too preoccupied with their work, are intimidated by seniority or think you are unapproachable, then start conversations. You can talk about work-related stuff like performance, appraisal possibilities, internal problems, or even just small talk and general chat. Being approachable will be less isolating, and may help relieve depression symptoms.
Create a Positive Workplace Atmosphere – A positive and happy workplace will benefit everyone, leaders included. You want your employees to respect you—not fear you. Creating a positive work environment will yield far better results for your employees, your company, and yourself. Send a positive note in the mornings to everyone via an email, listen to people’s ideas, recognize hard work and have some fun in the office on a regular basis. Maintaining a professional environment is important but setting a happy and positive tone will do wonders for the whole workplace, yourself included.
Place an Emphasis on Self-Care and Wellness – It’s important to encourage self-care for your employees and subordinates, but lead by example and look after yourself too. Prioritise and plan for sufficient quality sleep, regular physical activity and good nutrition. Unfortunately, workers, especially leaders, are often given the message that neglecting their well-being in favour of accomplishment and productivity is a virtue. Often someone who works while being sick, pulls all-nighters, and never takes breaks is often recognized as a hard worker and rewarded with praise and promotions while on the other hand, someone who prioritizes self-care is often seen as being weak and without much ambition. In the long run however, the person who looks after themselves will likely be more productive and less likely to burn out or to suffer more of the darker symptoms of depression.
Have a Trusted Person You Can Talk To – Ensure you have a friend, mentor, coach or confidante with whom you can safely debrief and receive objective feedback. This person can be someone in the company or an external resource. Sometimes you just need someone to tell you that you are doing a great job and that you are appreciated.
Seek Professional Help – Leaders often don’t like asking for help but this is the most important action you can take when depression hits. If you were diagnosed with another medical condition, you would get professional treatment and take your medicine so you should think of your mental health in the same way. You owe it to yourself, your family and your employees to keep yourself mentally, as well as physically, healthy.
No one is immune to depression, especially business leaders and managers. The good news is excellent, highly effective treatments for depression and stress management are widely available. If you are a leader in need of professional mental health treatment or stress management counselling, let the team at Psylegal help you now so you can continue to lead your team to glory and enjoy your workplace success. Conveniently located in the heart of Melbourne, book an appointment before, after or during work and see how our experienced psychologists can tailor a treatment plan to your specific requirements. Contact us today.
