The Best Leaders Prioritize a Healthy Soul

What determines your effectiveness in the workplace?  There are so many answers to this question but one answer that I am increasingly aware of is the condition of my soul.  This statement certainly needs some explaining, however the benefits of being healthy in this part of life exceeds beyond just me and extends into my workplace and the rest of my life. In 3 John 1:2, the author writes this: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” I have found that there is a strong connection between my soul and my success. So, what is your soul? One of my favored understandings of the soul is that it incorporates your mind, will and emotions.

How do you recharge your soul?

When our soul is unhealthy it becomes the place that we feel overwhelmed, directionless and confused. We can get to this point when we fail to interpret the signs of depletion or fail to recharge. Our soul is often the area we feel it most when we operate without margins, fail to rest and allow our passions to be overlooked. However, when your soul is full, at peace and generous, life feels exhilarating and meaningful. Some of the ways that you can recharge in this area of life is to build in intentional time to your schedule to rest and relax. Finding a passion that you can nurture will improve your well-being. Funnily enough, discovering my passion for pickle ball has a very positive effect on my disposition. It can seem quite simplistic but It changes the way I approach life. Perhaps you have a passion for nature and getting outside or travel, maybe it’s music that refreshes you, if you can’t think of something that improves your disposition, I would encourage you to search out what that might be.

The Benefits of a Healthy Soul

Living a life internally regulated gives you the best perspective on all issues that you face. You have more capacity for other people and make better decisions. When we live internally regulated, we experience peace. However, when I work with little to no margins, I am more prone to missing key details, or being short tempered, especially when working with people. Sometimes it is sensitivity to the small details, or an ability to zoom out from the problem and see the bigger picture that operating in peace gives us. I guarantee you that my staff prefer working with a regulated healthy soul version of Mike. The benefits of being well regulated impacts my marriage, my role as a parent and almost every interaction I have with people. The value of pursing health in this area can’t be overlooked.

Don’t be Led by your Soul

A regulated soul is a huge advantage in life; however, it is not the best leader of your life. Our mind will and emotions make up who we are but are not always the best leaders. They work much better as support staff. I have said this before but when I allow my Spirit to lead my life, I function at the highest levels in all I do. King David had a good perspective on this and used his relationship with God to lift his emotions.  A good example can be found here:  

“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.”Psalm

Psalm 42:5 NIV Tweet

When we shift the weight of life’s responsibilities from our soul to our Spirit we move from the natural to the Supernatural. We become a conduit for God to work through our lives. Perhaps you have just felt “off” lately, maybe simply overwhelmed. Maybe an over dependence on your mind, will or emotions. There is a lot of noise competing for our attention in culture. A few things that I have got a lot of traction when leading from my spirit have been: Taking time to worship God, reading longer portions of scripture, fasting and my daily prayer times.

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