The Executive's Guide to Flourishing: Sustaining Wellbeing

Struggling to maintain your wellbeing practices?

As a senior leader, are you struggling to maintain your wellbeing, in the face of increasing work pressure, despite your best intentions?

In the world of leadership, it's common for executives to experience the fallout of prioritising one aspect of life (work) ahead of the other (wellbeing).  For us to truly succeed we need both.  But this is not the only way leaders focus on one area at the expense of others, it also happens when practising wellbeing, which ultimately undermines your hard work and the sustainability of your progress. 

Misjudged Focus

Leaders often focus wellbeing solely on exercise and diet while neglecting other important areas. This imbalanced approach can lead to a myriad of challenges: burnout from neglecting emotional and mental health, strained relationships due to a lack of interpersonal focus, and/or a sense of disconnection from your environment and community.

At Integral8 we’ve seen first-hand how overemphasising the 'IT' quadrant (objective, physical wellbeing e.g. diet, exercise) without integrating the 'I' (inner personal world), 'WE' (interpersonal relationships), and 'ITS' (systems & environment) quadrants can disrupt the delicate balance needed for more complete and holistic, wellbeing. Let's explore what a more integrated path forward may include.

Integral Wellbeing

We believe that the key to thriving in today's challenging corporate world lies in mastering the art of Integral Wellbeing. This comprehensive approach, inspired by Ken Wilber's Integral meta theory, is more than a strategy; it's a transformative journey towards achieving a more balanced, fulfilling, and flourishing life.

We see, feel, and share the pressures you, as senior executives, face daily. The relentless pursuit of success often comes at the cost of personal and professional wellbeing. That's why we advocate for an integral approach, encompassing the four essential quadrants of human experience: I (subjective- being), WE (inter-subjective- relating), IT (objective- doing), and ITS (inter-objective- systems & environment).

Being

In the 'I' quadrant, we call out the importance of inner wellbeing and encourage the development of the necessary capabilities to reduce anxiety and stress. Meditation, emotional regulation, and energy management aren't just practices; they're necessities for sustainably maintaining peak performance and resilience in high-stress environments.

Relating

In the realm of 'WE', we highlight the power of deeper connection. Strong interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence are the cornerstones of effective leadership and connection. They reduce conflict and increase support. Which help build trust, understanding, deepen connection and enhance teamwork, at work and at home.

Doing

The 'IT' quadrant reminds us that a healthy body is paramount for a healthy mind. Regular exercise (different types and intensity), a personalised nutritious diet, and quality sleep are crucial for sustaining, a healthy pain free, flexible, and strong body, These combine to provide energy, and sharp cognitive functions.

Systems & Environment

Lastly, the 'ITS' quadrant focuses on the impact of your environment. Getting outdoors daily, to experience sunlight, fresh air and vast horizons gives us perspective and helps set our circadian rhythms for restorative sleep.

A work environment that provides and balances the appropriate temperature, humidity, light, airflow, and soundscape support the wellbeing of all those within it. Also, a commitment to broader environmental sustainability will support the wellbeing of all those in the area around the building and society beyond it. Both are vital for long-term wellbeing of leaders, your people, your community and beyond.

Sustained Wellbeing in All Quadrants

By consciously working on wellbeing in all of these quadrants, you're not just investing in your success as a leader, but also in a more prosperous, balanced, and flourishing life for you and all those that matter to you. How will you embrace a more integral approach, where sustaining wellbeing and sustainable success go hand in hand?