You’ve probably heard John C Maxwell’s famous quote, “Everything rises and falls on leadership.”[1] It means that whether a vision, cooperation, community, or nation succeeds or fails is determined by its leaders. The quality of leadership determines the quality of results. This quote describes leaders as a foundation on which things are built or the reason for which they are destroyed. That’s a significant amount of pressure to put on the shoulders of another human being, isn’t it? Yet, it’s the truth for every true leader.
There’s an insane amount of pressure to make decisions and do what’s right for the greater good. Leaders are expected to be selfless and make sacrifices that cost them precious relationships. They are expected to be the best and most conscientious. They’re expected to be superhuman for the sake of others. But the truth is, leaders are human too and need to be treated that way.
Today, leadership has become both a common and highly valued subject. Almost everyone knows something about it or is occupying a leadership role, no matter how small. So, it’s essential to know that you’re human and must take care of your physical and mental health too. You can experience burnout, anxiety, and depression like everyone else.
However, you’re not every other person. If something is wrong with you, it affects your team and the projects you handle. People in leadership positions are more likely to get depressed than people who don’t occupy leadership roles because of the pressure they have to deal with. Therefore, you must be more sensitive to depression triggers..
In her book, “HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION,” Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv. wrote, “Depression reports were claimed in the lives of several presidents. Some of history’s most influential figures, including James Madison and Abraham Lincoln, struggled with depression.[2] They both suffered losses from loved ones. Abraham Lincoln suffered significant family losses while carrying the weight of the nation’s issues. Depression causes a person to become more self-conscious and aware of their feelings and those of others. This may be a good trait for a president to have since it allows them to interact with all individuals more personally.
As a leader, you must know that having depressing thoughts and emotions is inevitable. But you must learn to manage depression to overcome it entirely. You must take vacations, spend time with loved ones, delegate to get some pressure off and participate in therapeutic exercises.
When people get vaccinated, they prepare for a particular disease. In this context, you want to get vaccinated against depression by building a lifestyle or routine that releases tension and refreshes you mentally and physically.
Do you want to learn more about how to overcome depression and live a life full of laughter and fulfillment? Then get this life-transforming book, HEALING YOUR DEPRESSION by Apostle L’Tanya C. Perry, MDiv.
[1] John C. Maxwell, “Everything rises and falls on leadership,” Brainy Quote, December 20, 2021, https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/ john_c_maxwell_600859.
[2] “Why Do Celebrities Experience Depression?,” Vantage Point Recovery, accessed December 9, 2021, https:/ /vantagepointrecovery. com/celebrities-experience-depression/.