You Might Be a Workaholic Boss
While the narrative that hard work equals success has been instilled in us from an early age, it’s crucial to understand the difference between being a high achiever and becoming a workaholic boss. Is it possible to drive oneself and others too hard in the pursuit of success? Absolutely!
Identifying workaholic tendencies in others might not be a tall order, but recognizing them in ourselves could prove more challenging. Amid the flurry of work and looming deadlines, one might not always find the time to reflect on whether they’re tipping over into workaholism.
So, how can you discern if you’ve crossed over into being a workaholic boss? Here are some telltale signs:
Disregard for Personal Priorities
Do you often forgo personal commitments when work-related responsibilities come calling? High achievers prioritize their personal lives alongside their professional obligations. They honor dinner plans, spend quality time with family, and carve out time for self-care. Workaholics, however, find it difficult to uphold personal commitments when work demands arise. They end up sacrificing family time and personal leisure for an unending stream of work, setting the same expectation for their teams.
Mealtime Means Work Time
Do you frequently find yourself skipping meals with friends, family, or colleagues to continue working? It might seem justifiable occasionally during hectic weeks, but it shouldn’t become a habit. It’s important to step away from work, recharge, and foster connections with those around you so you’re not perceived as a workaholic boss.
Always in Work Mode
Is your work stress seeping into your home life? Once you leave the office, your work should stay there. If you’re consistently taking work home or feeling stressed outside work hours, it’s likely you’re overworking. Remember, it’s okay, and often necessary, not to give your 100% all the time. Workaholics often exert their maximum effort throughout their workday and even beyond. This can have detrimental effects on one’s well-being.
Deteriorating Health
Speaking of well-being, noticing a decline in your health could be another sign you’re working too hard. Chronic stress can have severe health consequences. While your body can handle moderate stress, excessive stress can lead to issues like weight gain, insomnia, mental fog, increased alcohol consumption, and stress-induced headaches.
Struggling with Failure
Perfection is an illusion. You will make mistakes, and you will face failures – it’s part of the journey towards success. High achievers understand this and see setbacks as opportunities for growth. Workaholics, on the other hand, often struggle with accepting imperfection and failure, from themselves and others. If you’re stuck with not knowing how to improve your skills, take a 360 degree assessment to get feedback from your colleagues and coworkers.
In conclusion, if you resonate with these signs, you might be leaning towards workaholism. It’s important to take a step back, reflect, and recalibrate your work-life balance. A healthier, more balanced approach will not only benefit you but also create a more positive work environment for your team.
