Leadership isn’t just about leading a team, making decisions, or setting a vision—it starts with leading yourself first. You can’t effectively lead others if you’re not taking care of yourself and your own well-being. Prioritising your health, recovery,  nutrition & well being is essential to sustaining the energy, clarity, and resilience needed to lead with impact.

This isn’t just applicable in a sports environment—it’s just as important in many other environments. Whether you’re managing a team at work, managing on the pitch, or supporting your loved ones at home, your ability to lead effectively starts with how well you take care of yourself. A strong, balanced leader sets the tone for those around them.

We see this in practice every day in the daveynutrition Empower Community, where individuals committed to high performance—both in sport and life—prioritise their well-being to lead by example. When someone implements healthy habits and experiences a positive impact, it has a knock-on effect—others see the benefits and are inspired to get involved. Leadership isn’t just about words; it’s about actions that create momentum, fostering a culture of growth, resilience, and well-being.

The Foundation of Self-Leadership

Before others can be inspired to follow you, it’s important to first look after yourself with care and consistency. Self-leadership starts by setting the right example through your own habits and routines. It’s about showing up every day—not just for your team, but for your own well-being and growth. We understand it is easy to say that, but where do you even start? 

Take a moment to reflect on these pillars of performance —where do you currently stand with each one, and where would you like to go? Give yourself the space to look at your habits and behaviors in each area. Do your actions support or hold you back from reaching your goals? What challenges are you facing, and how can you work through them?

It might feel like a lot to take in at once, so remember: focus on one pillar at a time. True progress unfolds gradually, and it’s a continuous journey of growth. This isn’t meant to overwhelm you, but to empower you. By taking ownership of your actions, you are actively shaping your path and drawing closer to your goals & enjoying it in the process. .

The Good, Better, Best Approach

A key concept we emphasise within our programs and with our clients is setting yourself up for success by creating realistic expectations. This is where the “Good, Better, Best” approach comes in. Instead of striving for perfection, which can lead to frustration, focus on what good, better, and best look like in key areas of performance: mindset, sleep, nutrition, and movement.

This is an example but this is individual to everyone so map out yours!

Mindset:

• Good: Reframe slips ups and move on – Make the next best decisions
• Better: Actively practice self-compassion and acknowledge your progress, even in small steps.
• Best: Giving time at the end of each week to reflect

Sleep:

• Good: Switch off your phone before bed
• Better: Switch off phone and read a book in bed
• Best: Wind down 1 hr bed by doing the things you know will help you have a restful night

Nutrition:

• Good: Including a protein source at breakfast 
• Better: Incorporating protein at both breakfast and meeting 5-7 portions of fruit and veg a day
• Best: Planning out dinners for the week and having the groceries stocked 

Movement:

• Good Could be taking a 15-minute walk three days a week. 
• Better: Committing to four gym sessions each week.
• Best: Combining two walks and four gym sessions.

By defining what these levels look like for you, you create a framework that allows for progress without the pressure of perfection. Understanding your personal thresholds in these pillars of performance helps you stay consistent and resilient as you lead yourself and others.

Take It Bit by Bit

Leading yourself can feel overwhelming if you take an all-or-nothing approach. The key is to focus on small, manageable steps each day. Instead of expecting immediate transformation, take it bit by bit and day by day. Over time, the habits and behaviors that once felt overwhelming will become second nature. Trust yourself and trust the process—if you stay consistent, the results will speak for themselves.

The Ripple Effect of Leading Yourself First

When you prioritise your own well-being, you create a ripple effect. Your habits influence those around you. If you’re energised, focused, and resilient, people around you will take notice and often be inspired to do the same. Leading by example builds trust, credibility, and a culture of high performance.

Final Thoughts

Leading yourself first isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity. Your ability to lead others depends on how well you manage your own health, energy, and well being. By making looking after yourself a priority, you not only improve your leadership skills but also create a sustainable path to success for yourself and those you lead.

Start today. Lead yourself, and watch how it transforms your ability to lead others.