The Executive Wellbeing Advantage: From Chasing Success to Generating Sustainable Agency

When you reflect on the markers that signal successful leaders, what comes to mind?

We’ve asked this question with leaders and executives many times and the answers are quite consistent: money… promotions… a title… power and influence…  respect…  status… people defer to you… luxury… a nice office… big house… exotic vacations… exclusive experiences… jets… 

These attributes are tied to successful icons across the world – venerated in movies, social media, television, and magazines. It’s hard to miss the cues pointing to success. 

But if I ask you to think about a truly successful leader in business – one that you admire and respect, perhaps someone who mentored you or you’ve admired from afar – what qualities come to mind? What makes them successful? 

I invite you to take a moment and list some of their traits.

When leaders and executives answer this question, their responses change dramatically. They describe someone who listens… is respectful… kind… inspiring… has vision.. integrity… offers clear communication… knows how to handle conflict… trustworthy… self-aware… adaptable and open-minded…  knows how to delegate… empathic… 

The Critical Difference: Chasing Status vs. Embodying Internal Values

Imagine for a moment pursuing the features of each list:

How does the first list make you feel? It is a little stressful? What must you do to achieve these banners of success? What does it take to maintain them? If you pursue these markers of success how will you relate to colleagues and competitors in the field? 

Now read the second list. How does it make you feel? Notice a difference? Perhaps you feel calmer or maybe think, This is a list I can do!  How might you relate to colleagues and competitors if this is your mindset? 

What is the difference between these lists? The first expresses chasing success. The second is an example of generating success.

When we chase after success it is ever elusive, an evolving mark, set by trendsetters defining a “cool club” where It's Imperative to have the best… the most… the latest… the greatest… And the trophies are ever-changing. What is “in” one day is “out” the next, sending everyone on the next expedition to gain the accomplishments and accolades that will make us enough.

Conversely, when one is generating success, we bring the richness, wisdom, joy, and enoughness that’s already inside us into our daily activities. Generating success allows us to bring ease, clarity, wellbeing, fun, kindness and creativity to all our endeavors, whether we are with our colleagues and friends, or the day is a good one or bad one.

A Hallmark of Executive Wellness: Embodying Personal and Social Agency

Truly successful leaders bring this calm and clarity because they embody Personal and Social Agency - a hallmark of executive wellbeing. They know how to release stress, they're adaptive and open-minded, and can think clearly, bringing the best outcomes - even when storms take over our day or our meetings. With Personal and Social Agency, we ride the changing waves of business with confidence and ease – much like a surfer. 

Which sounds more fun? A panicked, pressured chase of elusive icons, or surfing waves, trusting your own wisdom and grace, creating a space where everyone can play, create, build, and generate success? 

Cultivating Personal and Social Agency will bring you a truly successful life.