THE LEADERSHIP ADVANTAGE
WHY YOUR WELLBEING IS YOUR MOST STRATEGIC ASSET
It’s a common tendency to think of wellbeing as simply luxury Pilates classes, bubble baths or expensive skincare routines. Most of us have been taught to think about wellbeing as a luxury - something indulgent, we don’t strictly need. However, wellbeing is much more than that.
Tending to our mental, physical and emotional health today is about taking responsibility for ourselves; caring for self, which enables us to care for and lead others.
This has become abundantly clear through my work with clients and top leaders across industries. In prioritising their own wellbeing, people not only lead better - they live better.
In my current EMBA studies, this connection is echoed by science: leadership is closely linked with physical and emotional health.
This article explores why wellbeing is no longer optional for leadership, and how both experience and evidence support this shift.
Leadership Success Is Linked With Our Health And Wellbeing
How well we lead is directly related to our level of wellbeing and self-awareness.
Over the years, I’ve worked closely with top leaders—from executives at Universal Studios, McKinsey & Partners, and Disney, to hedge fund managers and household CEOs (yes, housewives included). What always becomes clear is this: when people start to move, sleep, and eat better, their stress levels drop and their sense of clarity rises.
They improve their relationship with themselves first, and this ripples outward—into families, teams, and business performance.
When we live in a body that’s rested, fuelled well, and cared for, our nervous system settles. We gain access to reflective thinking, greater inclusion, and more effective communication.
When calm and clear, we don’t need to defend—we can direct with confidence.
Effective leadership requires openness, reflection, and the capacity to consider new perspectives. But none of that is possible if we’re burnt out, sleep-deprived, or stressed. Prioritising your wellbeing is not indulgent—it’s responsible leadership.
The Neuroscience Of Leadership Clarity
The book ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ by Daniel Kahneman shows how our cognitive function is impacted by emotional states. We only access the reflective part of the brain when our nervous system is in a regulated state. In other words, if we’re triggered or stressed, we cannot lead from clarity—we react, rather than respond.
Polyvagal Theory, popularised in books like ‘The Secret Language of the Body’, goes even further. It teaches us that our nervous system—via the vagus nerve—filters everything first through the lens of safety or threat. By the time our logical brain kicks in, our body has already made a decision about how to behave.
To lead wisely, we must first lead ourselves with care.
How Safe Leadership Enables Innovation
Innovation thrives where psychological safety exists. People must feel safe enough to speak up, make mistakes, and offer ideas without fear of ridicule or rejection. This kind of culture demands emotionally intelligent leadership—where trust, inclusion, and curiosity are prioritised.
Until recently, organisations could ignore wellbeing as long as performance metrics were met. But now, value creation is increasingly tied to reflection, creativity, and human insight.
In fact, multiple studies - by Oxford, Harvard, and Great Place to Work - have shown companies with high employee wellbeing outperform peers in innovation, retention, and adaptability.
When leaders embody wellbeing, it cascades through culture - not just as policy, but as lived practice.
These organisations also enjoy higher financial performance, greater staff loyalty, and stronger customer satisfaction. Wellbeing is no longer a perk - it’s a performance strategy.
As digital transformation advances, leaders must support the human systems within their organisations—starting with themselves.
Why Accessing Creativity Is Vital For Growth
During my EMBA studies at Hult International Business School, I took a course called ‘Leading Digital Transitions’. It became clear how much AI is changing our work—and what can’t be replaced.
AI can analyse and deliver data faster than any human. But machines can’t lead. They can’t empathise, envision, or connect the hidden insights that spark true innovation.
The leaders of tomorrow won’t just be great strategists—they’ll be innovators. They’ll be people who can see around corners, connect dots, and think non-linearly.
And to access that level of insight and creativity, we must be physically well, emotionally regulated, and mentally spacious. We must nourish the body that houses the brain, and lead from wholeness rather than hustle.
Because in this new era of work, a leader’s greatest advantage isn’t just speed or skill - but the clarity, vitality, and courage that only wellbeing makes possible.
Much love,
If you’re ready to lead from a calmer, more innovative place, try these 3 guided breath practices to regulate your nervous system and reconnect with yourself.