6 Self-Care Strategies to Achieve Sustainable Leadership

By Seagram W. Porter, MPA, CSM(ret.)

In my 28 years of service in the United States Army, I learned that leadership isn't just about tactics, strategy, or even courage. It's also about endurance. It's about being the steady hand when everything around you is chaos and carrying the weight of responsibility not only for the mission but also for the lives of the Soldiers you lead.

What sustained me through nearly three decades of service wasn’t just discipline or duty. It was self-care. Because taking care of yourself isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s the most courageous and necessary act of leadership. This blog isn’t just about my story; it’s about the strategies I relied on to stay whole, resilient, and ready to lead under the most demanding conditions.

What I Got Wrong About Self-Care at First

I had just stepped into a new role as a Platoon Sergeant, responsible for 80 Soldiers. I was eager to prove myself, demonstrate my commitment, and earn their respect. I told myself I had to be the first one up and the last one to sleep. I worked long days and longer nights preparing for a major training exercise, pushing myself harder and harder because I believed that’s what strong leaders do.

Tired leaders make tired decisions.

The training hadn’t even hit full stride, and I was running on fumes. My mind was foggy. I began making careless mistakes, forgetting details, snapping at the wrong times, and missing key tasks. I could feel myself unraveling. It wasn’t that I didn’t care; it was that I couldn’t focus. I had nothing left in the tank.

The Turning Point: When I Finally Paid Attention

Then came the moment I won’t forget.

My senior leader pulled me aside and made it clear he was fed up. His words were sharp but honest. He told me I was failing and that my mistakes were affecting the mission. That my inability to perform was letting my Soldiers down. And then, with a tone of both disappointment and concern, he said something I hadn’t expected:

"You’re doing this to yourself. You’re burning out because you think carrying the whole load makes you a better leader, but it’s making you useless to the team."

That hit hard. Not because it hurt my pride, but because it was true.

In trying to do everything, I was becoming nothing of value. I had confused overworking with leading. I had equated exhaustion with dedication. And I learned the hard way that burnout doesn’t make you a hero; it makes you a liability.

That conversation changed me. It was the first time I truly understood that self-care isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s readiness. From that day forward, I began to pay attention. I started asking: How do I lead at a high level without exhausting myself? How do I serve others without losing myself in the process?

Building My Self-Care Routine: 6 Strategies That Worked to Achieve Sustainable Leadership

After the breaking point, I began to rebuild not just my schedule but my mindset. Here are six strategies for sustainable leadership.

1. Setting Boundaries and Delegating with Trust

What I did: I began task-organizing, assigning responsibilities, and following up consistently to ensure deadlines were met. This helped me reduce the load on my shoulders while showing others I trusted them to lead.

Why it matters in any career: Leaders often try to carry it all. Delegating doesn’t mean you’re stepping back; it means you’re building others up. Setting clear boundaries prevents burnout and fosters capable teams, which in turn increases morale and productivity.

Benefits:

·       Reduces personal overload.

·       Builds team competence and trust.

·       Enhances focus on strategic, high-impact tasks.

2. Seeking Mentorship and Coaching (Don’t Suffer in Silence)

What I did: Instead of isolating myself after my failure, I leaned into mentorship. I sought regular feedback from my direct supervisor and allowed myself to grow through correction and support.

Why it matters in any career: Mentorship provides clarity and confidence. Many leaders suffer in silence, believing they must have all the answers. Mentorship is a reminder that leadership isn’t a solo act; it’s a relay.

Benefits:

·       Accelerates personal and professional growth.

·       Reduces emotional burden.

·       Increases decision-making clarity.

3. Taking Breaks and Recharging Mindfully

What I did:I began taking 5-minute breaks every hour, stepping away to breathe or refocus. I also used short vacation periods to reset and recharge mentally.

Why it matters in any career: In high-intensity professions such as emergency services, business leadership, or teaching, micro-breaks and downtime are essential for clear thinking and emotional regulation. Constant go-mode leads to exhaustion and diminished judgment.

Benefits:

·       Increases energy and creativity.

·       Reduces decision fatigue.

·       Enhances emotional resilience and patience.

4. Prioritizing Sleep for Long-Term Readiness

What I did: To stop racing thoughts at night, I would journal my worries, close the book, and leave it on my nightstand. This helped me fall asleep peacefully. I began to respect sleep as a mission-critical part of leadership, not a luxury.

Why it matters in any career: Many leaders wear fatigue like a badge of honor. However, chronic sleep deprivation impairs cognitive function, judgment, and emotional control. Rested leaders think sharply and lead longer.

Benefits:

·       Improves decision-making accuracy.

·       Enhances mood and mental stamina.

·       Reduces risk of burnout and physical illness.

5. Organizational and Time Management

What I did: I created structure, planned my week, set task priorities, and protected time for deep work. I moved from reacting to strategically managing my time and energy.

Why it matters in any career: For nurses juggling patients, managers overseeing projects, or officers managing shift rotations, disorganization creates chaos and stress. Planning, setting realistic goals, and building buffers lead to calmer days and higher performance.

Benefits:

·       Increases control over workload.

·       Boosts efficiency and reduces reactive stress.

·       It helps prevent avoidable crises and errors.

6. Social Connection and Support

What I did: I stopped isolating. I reached out to peers, stayed connected with my family, and allowed personal relationships to support my professional life.

Why it matters in any career: No matter your title, chief executive, detective, charge nurse, or project lead, connection is critical. Emotional support enhances your capacity to lead with empathy and compassion. We lead better when we don’t feel alone.

Benefits:

·       Improves emotional health and mental stability.

·       Strengthens empathy and relational leadership.

·       Builds a personal safety net during challenging times.

These weren’t just tactics; they were a mindset shift. I moved from grinding to enduring, from sacrificing everything to sustaining what mattered most.

Leadership That Lasts: Final Thoughts on the Power of Self-Care

We must take care of ourselves if we hope to lead others well.

Leadership is demanding in terms of physical, emotional, and mental demands. The weight of responsibility can become overwhelming if you never refill your reserves.

There’s an image that’s stuck with me over the years: the teacup and the saucer. The teacup represents you, the leader. The saucer represents your work, your people, and your responsibilities. Too many of us are pouring from the teacup, draining ourselves dry. But that’s not how sustainable leadership works.

We’re meant to give from the overflow.

So, as you move forward in your leadership journey, remember this:

That’s not a weakness. That’s wisdom.

And that’s leadership that lasts.

Ready to Lead from a Full Cup? Let’s Build Leadership That Lasts.

At MP Insight Solutions, we believe that outstanding leadership is not just about performance—it’s about sustainability. We help leaders, teams, and organizations develop the mindset, systems, and resilience necessary to thrive in high-pressure environments without compromising their well-being.

Whether you’re in the military, healthcare, law enforcement, education, or business, we can help you turn experience into transformation.

✨ Let’s work together to:

   •   Develop resilient leadership habits

   •   Create balanced organizational cultures

   •   Prevent burnout before it starts

   •   Build high-performing, empowered teams

🔗 Visit http://www.mpinsightsolutions.com to learn more, schedule a consultation, or explore leadership development programs designed for real-world impact.

Your mission doesn’t pause, nor should your growth.

Let MP Insight Solutions help you lead from strength, not survival.