The Strengths-Based Self-Care Guide Every Leader Needs

Some days, I look at my calendar and feel that old familiar tension. It doesn’t happen as often as it used to—but when it does, I know exactly why.

I’ve drifted from my own rhythm.

I grew up in a family that valued structure, productivity, and showing up—always. Our schedules were full, our vacations were packed, and rest was something you earned, not something you protected. While that upbringing taught me a lot about work ethic and follow-through, it didn’t teach me how to rest with intention. Or why it mattered.

It took years (and more than one burnout cycle) to realize that sustainable leadership and work requires more than effort. It requires energy—and energy comes from care.

Why Self-Care Is Leadership

If you support others in any capacity—whether you're a team leader, coach, business owner, or caregiver—your well-being directly shapes how you show up.

When you’re depleted, it’s harder to access your strengths and lead with clarity. Harder to make aligned decisions. Harder to listen, pivot, or support with presence.

Taking care of yourself isn’t about stepping away from responsibility—it’s about stewarding your energy so you can show up well for what matters.

And the best place to start? With your strengths.

How Your Strengths Shape Your Self-Care

When you understand your natural talents, you can stop copying other people’s self-care routines—and start creating your own. Here's how your CliftonStrengths® talent domain might influence what restoration looks like for you:

• Executing: You feel best when you’re productive and following through—but that can make it hard to pause.

  • Self-care strategy: Pause and ask: What must be done? What would I like to do? What can wait—or be shared? You don’t have to carry it all. Turn rest into something you can complete—add it to your to-do list, and give yourself permission to check it off. Recovery is part of the work.

• Influencing: You draw energy from visibility and movement—but burnout can creep in when everything is outward-facing.

  • Self-care strategy: High-energy movement helps you reset—think exercise classes, dance, or a solo run with a playlist. It lets you move, release, and be around people without needing to perform. Balance that with purposeful solitude: journal, reflect, or speak into a voice note—not to be heard, but to tune in. Presence over performance.

• Relationship Building: You thrive on connection—but giving too much without boundaries can drain you.

  • Self-care strategy: Choose relationships that energize you, not just ones that need you. And don’t forget the most important relationship you have—the one with yourself. Protect time for reflection, solitude, or spiritual practices that help you reconnect inward, not just outward.

• Strategic Thinking: You recharge through reflection, learning, and ideas—but may get stuck in thought loops.

  • Self-care strategy: Balance thought with embodiment. Move your body while you process—take a walk, stretch, or do something tactile. Write things down so they don’t just swirl in your head. And don’t stay in your mind alone—connect with other thinkers or people you trust. Invite them into your reflections. Sometimes clarity comes through conversation.

Four Principles of Mindful Self-Care (That Actually Stick)

Whatever your strengths, these four principles can help you create a rhythm of care that’s sustainable:

• Self-Awareness: Notice what fuels and depletes you. What gives you energy? What costs you energy? When do you feel most like yourself?

• Prioritization: Self-care doesn’t have to take hours—but it does have to be intentional. Protect 5–15 minutes a day for something restorative.

• Presence: Whatever you choose—do it on purpose. Turn off the noise. Be there fully.

• Compassion: Your needs are not weaknesses. You don’t have to earn rest. Give yourself the same care you extend to others.

Strengths-Based Self-Care Ideas to Try

These micro-practices can support you no matter your role:

• Start your day with 3 quiet breaths before reaching for your phone

• Take a 15-minute tech break during your busiest workday

• Keep a “Done” list instead of a “To Do” list

• Write down 1 thing you’re grateful for that has nothing to do with productivity

• Say “no” to something that doesn’t align

• Reflect weekly: What energized me this week? What drained me? What can I adjust?

Know Your Strengths. Support Your Energy. Lead With Clarity.

When you lead from your strengths and care for your energy, you don’t just perform better—you feel more grounded, resilient, and yourself.

Self-care isn’t a luxury. It’s your foundation.

👉 Discover Your Top 5 Talents
👉 Unlock All 34 of Your Talents

Or…
👉 Book a free strategy session with me to explore how your strengths can support your well-being and leadership