27: Dance Floors and Boardrooms — A Guide to Embracing Joy for Women Leaders

This episode dives into the transformative power of joy and personal time for women executives.

This episode offers vital insights and practical tips on balancing leadership responsibilities with moments of uninhibited joy and well-being.

Learn why creating space for personal enjoyment is not just essential for mental and emotional health but also for enhancing leadership effectiveness.

Tune in for empowering strategies on saying yes to life's joys, scheduling happiness, and leading with a rejuvenated spirit and to redefine your approach to leadership and life.

Find the full transcript at: https://livingwhileleading.com/27 

Sharon Ehrlich‘s mission is to support successful women IT executives gain more control over their careers while carving out precious time for themselves and loved ones.

She‘s developed an exclusive 4-Step System which empowers women to dedicate the time needed to reassess their priorities. Through one-on-one sessions, women design a life which allows them to continue thrive professionally while giving themselves permission to reclaim their freedom to pursue things which are important to them. This is a transformative, high-touch program designed exclusively for women in executive and leadership positions.

Sharon also provides a dynamic empowerment session called Own the Room which supports women in unleashing their authentic self and confidently showcase their talents and expertise. This intense 90-minute session supports women in putting self-doubt to rest and recognizing and owning their power.

Click here to subscribe to Living While Leading.
Connect with Sharon on LinkedIn.
Follow Sharon on Instagram.
Follow Sharon on Facebook.

...

Transcript

27: Dance Floors and Boardrooms— A Guide to Embracing Joy for Women Leaders

Two weeks ago, I was reminiscing about how long it had been since I'd danced at a party. I talked about missing the freedom and fun of dancing with others, letting go, and just being in the moment with good music. 

Little did I know, the universe was listening!

Fast forward a few days — I receive an exclusive invite to a party hosted in a luxury clothing store. 

This wasn't your typical event. It started as a pretty reserved gathering, with catered food and flowing champagne. But as the evening progressed, the atmosphere transformed dramatically. 

A live singer set the tone, and before I knew it, the guests weren’t just swaying, they were tearing up the dance floor. 

And yes, you guessed it – I joined in and had the time of my life!

Dancing that evening made me realize something crucial. As a women leader, you seldom give yourself permission to truly disconnect from your role and un-ending list of duties. 

I’m going to share with you 3 tips on how you can find the sweet spot between  leading effectively and experiencing uninhibited joy.

Find the full transcript and other resources for women leaders at: https://livingwhileleading.com/27.  

Why Women IT Executives Struggle to Prioritize Personal Time

As a women executive it’s important to find moments for yourself, to just let loose and enjoy life. You understand how important it is to carve time out for yourself, however it’s a challenge making this happen on a consistent basis. There are many reasons for this including:

• Perception of Leadership Responsibilities: You believe that taking time for yourself could be perceived as a lack of dedication or commitment to your role. This perception is compounded if you happen to work for an organization where there's an unspoken expectation that leaders must always be available and relentlessly focused on their work. 

•  Guilt and Self-Imposed Pressure: In many societal contexts women are conditioned to prioritize the needs of others. This ingrained sense of duty often leads to feelings of guilt when you consider taking time for yourself. You might worry about missing out on important developments or of not being productive. 

The reasons why it’s difficult for you to prioritize personal time without feeling that you‘re compromising your professional integrity or effectiveness are perfectly understandable. 

Self-Care Strategies for Women Executives for Embracing Well-being and Balance

You often juggle multiple roles, leaving little room for personal time. Yet, stepping away from your busy schedule is a necessity for your overall well-being. Let me remind you why it is so essential for you to regularly carve out time for yourself: 

• Leadership comes with its fair share of pressures and challenges. It’s critical for your mental and emotional state to find an outlet where you can just be yourself, away from the stress that comes from work and your personal life. 

• Did you ever notice that when you step away from your routine, you give your mind the space to think differently? Being intentional about disconnecting allows you to be inspired and to return to your various roles with renewed energy and fresh ideas.

• When you engage in activities unrelated to work it helps you maintain a balanced view of life. This perspective is key in reminding you that there's a world beyond boardrooms and strategic decisions. If you really take time to notice, your surrounded by simple and yet profound joys.

How Women Leaders Can Make Time for Fun and Freedom and Empower Their Joy

So now you’re asking, how can I find the time to indulge in moments of freedom and fun? Here are 3 tips that have worked for me in the past that I’d like to share with you: 

1. Say yes to something different. Next time an invitation lands in your inbox, and it's not work-related, say yes. Whether it's a party, a painting class, or a hiking trip, if it’s different from your usual schedule, go for it. You might just find yourself rediscovering a long-lost passion or hobby or just simply have fun!
2. Schedule your joy. Block out time in your calendar for an activity that brings you happiness. It could be an hour of yoga, a coffee date with a friend, or even a short trip. Treat these moments with the same importance you give to your professional commitments.
3.  Delegate and disconnect. This can be hard, especially when you’re used to being in control. Delegating more not only empowers others — it also frees you up. The world won’t stop if you step away for a bit. Trust your team and take that well-deserved break.

Take the lead in your life! Dance like no one’s watching, laugh a little louder, and find those moments that allow you to just be yourself. To free your mind and restore your spirit. 

You're not just doing yourself a favor — you're setting a powerful example by leading with joy and purpose!

Remember, you’re the solution to claiming what’s important to you!