1 Understand your needs

The first step to balance team needs and self-care is to understand your own needs and preferences. What are your values, strengths, passions, and goals? What are your sources of stress, frustration, and burnout? How do you recharge, relax, and renew your energy? How do you cope with challenges, conflicts, and emotions? By knowing yourself better, you can identify what you need to thrive as a leader and a person, and set healthy boundaries and expectations for yourself and others.

2 Communicate your needs

The second step to balance team needs and self-care is to communicate your needs clearly and respectfully to your team members, peers, and superiors. As a servant leader, you may feel reluctant or guilty to express your needs, especially if they conflict with the needs of others. However, hiding or suppressing your needs can lead to resentment, stress, and disengagement. By communicating your needs, you can create a culture of trust, transparency, and mutual support, where everyone feels valued and respected. You can also model self-care and encourage your team members to do the same.

3 Prioritize your needs

The third step to balance team needs and self-care is to prioritize your needs and act on them. As a servant leader, you may have multiple demands and responsibilities that compete for your time, attention, and energy. However, you cannot do everything for everyone, and you cannot sacrifice yourself for the sake of others. By prioritizing your needs, you can focus on what matters most for your well-being and performance, and delegate, outsource, or eliminate what is less important or urgent. You can also schedule regular time for yourself, where you can engage in activities that nourish your mind, body, and spirit.

4 Review your needs

The fourth step to balance team needs and self-care is to review your needs periodically and adjust them as necessary. As a servant leader, you may face changing situations, challenges, and opportunities that require you to adapt and grow. However, your needs may also change over time, depending on your circumstances, goals, and feedback. By reviewing your needs, you can assess how well you are meeting them, and what you can do to improve or maintain your balance. You can also seek feedback from others, and learn from their experiences and perspectives.

5 Respect your needs

The fifth step to balance team needs and self-care is to respect your needs and honor them. As a servant leader, you may encounter resistance, criticism, or misunderstanding from others who do not share or appreciate your needs. However, you do not have to apologize or justify your needs, as long as they are reasonable, ethical, and aligned with your values and vision. By respecting your needs, you can affirm your self-worth and dignity, and foster a positive self-image and self-esteem. You can also inspire others to respect their own needs and those of others.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?