In the demanding world of executive leadership, we often equate performance with output. But true progress isn’t just about forward movement—it’s about sustainable impact. And that sustainability begins with you, shaping not only your own success but also the “hopeful futures” we all aspire to.
This resonates deeply with the theme for the recently celebrated World Health Day 2025, “Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures,” which reminds us that well-being is the foundation for any meaningful endeavour.
Many executive women carry the unspoken burden of overextending themselves, prioritising everyone else until there’s nothing left for themselves. I’ve seen this firsthand in coaching rooms and boardrooms. Burnout isn’t just a wellness issue; it’s a leadership crisis. And the antidote isn’t just another productivity hack. It’s intentional self-care—a principle that aligns with creating healthy beginnings for ourselves and, consequently, more hopeful futures.
The case for self-care in leadership
Let’s be clear: self-care isn’t selfish—it’s strategic. It’s not a reward for good behaviour. It’s a leadership strategy.
When you neglect your physical and emotional well-being, decision-making becomes reactive. Your energy depletes. Your clarity dims. And the people you lead feel it. But when you lead from a place of wellness, you show up with confidence, authenticity, and resilience. You become a stronger, wiser, and more effective leader.
On this World Health Day, I challenge every woman in leadership to reframe self-care as an essential tool for excellence.
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Here’s why it matters:
● Self-care sharpens your clarity – When you pause the noise, you reconnect with your values and vision.
● Self-care improves decision-making – You think best when you are well-rested, not running on fumes.
● Self-care sustains your energy – Burnout is not a badge of honour. Rest is what keeps your leadership sustainable.
● Self-care affirms your authority – Leaders who lead with intention know when to slow down, breathe, and reset.
How can you integrate self-care into your leadership rhythm?
● Schedule time to think. Don’t just react—lead with reflection.
● Take mini-breaks. Even five minutes of deep breathing can restore clarity.
● Ask yourself critical questions: Is this aligned with my purpose? What needs to change?
● Embrace rest without guilt. Your rest is a resource, not a weakness.
When leaders are well, organisations thrive. And when women in leadership take their health seriously, everyone benefits—from the boardroom to the living room.
Drawing inspiration from World Health Day and the concept of sustainable leadership, I invite every executive woman to make a conscious choice: prioritise your self-care—not as a reward for completing your work, but as the foundation for your long-term success.
Bola Matel-Okoh is a certified executive coach and an accomplished attorney with over 30 years of experience in diverse areas of judicial science, called to both the New York State and Nigerian Bar Associations. She is the CEO of BMO Advisory Services, a leadership and personal development consulting firm that provides advisory and counselling services to executive women. Bola Matel-Okoh is a Non-Executive Director at Wema Bank PLC.
