The Leadership Sleep Conundrum 

On average, how much sleep do you get a night? Most of us are familiar with the research suggesting that adults need 7-9 hours of sleep per night to function at their best. But as a busy leader, there’s a good chance you’re getting by on less than that. An international study conducted in 2017 by the Center for Creative Leadership found that among leaders, 42% are getting six or fewer hours of shut eye a night. 

Leaders are busy people, juggling a multitude of tasks and responsibilities, all while trying to keep the team motivated and productive – and that’s just considering the work aspect of life. Add in family and social commitments, and suddenly, a 24-hour day just doesn’t seem long enough to accomplish everything that needs to be done. Subsequently, sleep goes on the chopping block, and we grow accustomed to making do on four to five hours a night. It’s easy to fall into the trap of sacrificing sleep to get more done, but this choice comes with a cost, and that’s not just about our personal health. A growing body of research suggests that sleep deprivation also compromises organizational health.

The Crucial Role of Sleep in Boosting Leadership Performance

For starters, sleep deprivation can seriously hinder our cognitive capabilities. When we don’t get enough sleep, our brain simply can’t function at its highest capacity. We might find ourselves struggling to come up with creative solutions, make important decisions, or solve complex problems. On top of that, a lack of sleep tends to make us more susceptible to stress and anxiety. When we’re already dealing with a lot of pressure, the last thing we need is to feel even more anxious or overwhelmed. But when we’re sleep-deprived, our body produces more stress hormones, making it harder to keep cool under pressure. This makes it harder to communicate effectively with our team, things just don’t run as smoothly, and then we spread more stress to our team. 

So, what can you do to prioritize sleep and improve your overall effectiveness as a leader? Here are a few action steps to get you started:

1. Set a consistent sleep schedule: One of the most effective ways to improve your sleep quality is to establish a consistent sleep schedule. Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day, even on weekends. This can help regulate your body’s internal clock and naturally helps your body improve the quality of your sleep because it knows what to expect. 
2. Create a bedtime routine: Just like a consistent sleep schedule, having a bedtime routine can help signal to your body that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. This can include activities such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or meditation. 
3. Create a sleep-conducive environment: Creating a sleep-conducive environment can help improve the quality of your sleep. For most people, this means ensuring that your bedroom is quiet, cool, and dark and that your mattress and pillows are comfortable and supportive. You may also want to consider using white noise machines or blackout curtains to help block out any outside distractions.

Final Thought: Taking care of yourself and getting enough sleep isn’t just about you – it’s about your team and your organization, too. So, prioritize sleep, and watch your productivity and effectiveness as a leader soar.