Hello all. It’s been a while. I hope you are staying safe and sane during this strange time in our history. We are kicking off our next series of leadership development topics with self-image. This is a touchy subject. Many people might be feeling regret from the “quarantine 15 (lbs.),” or under-eye bags associated with pandemic related stress and sleep loss. While self-image does not refer entirely to one’s view of his or her appearance, largely appearance is what gets attributed as self-image.
In reality, self-image is composed of one’s ideas about his or her appearance, abilities, personality, skills, intelligence, etc. While the notion of “self,” in self-image implies that these opinions come entirely from your own mind and perspective, many times we allow others to influence of view of ourselves. If we have a negative self-image, that likely stems from other people in our lives who have told us that we are not smart enough, cool enough, pretty enough, etc. This could be a conscious or unconscious contribution, but generally, people who do not like themselves have been told that something is wrong with them.
We have talked about traits such as assertiveness and confidence previously that contribute to good leadership skills. It is very hard to be assertive and confident without a good self-image. Without these vital traits, it is difficult to command respect and loyalty from employees. So how do we work on our self-image? At a superficial level, there are many ways to improve the way we feel about our physical appearance. One of the easiest ways to improve your appearance is to make sure you are wearing clothes that truly fit. The size of the clothes does not matter, as long as they fit your body correctly. So many people wear clothes that are too tight or too loose when proper fitting clothes can change one’s entire appearance. Other practices like good hygiene, clean eating, aerobic exercise, and staying hydrated can also make major physical changes.
While these small changes might satisfy some people, others have deeper issues with self-image that cannot be fixed with a little mascara or a new pair of jeans. This is where the real work is called for. Deeper issues with self-image, in regards to one’s appearance, intelligence, personality, or otherwise, can take a long time to overcome. The first step to improving these feelings is to learn to accept yourself. This might mean cutting people out of your life who do not accept you. It could also call for a major change in your life. Perhaps you realize that you are pursuing the wrong goals, or that you are stagnant and must take additional steps to re-inspire yourself.
The point is, improving deep issues with self-image will take hard work. In some cases, you will come to the end of what you are capable of solving and might find yourself seeking help from a loved one, friend, adviser, or therapist. This is a healthy and important practice. It will be a long process, but it is worth it to find self-contentedness. Without this, it will be hard to become a strong and confident leader. Take some time now, while travel is limited and events are canceled, to really work on your self-image. The positive effects will be life-long.
- Bria