- This topic has 7 replies, 7 voices, and was last updated 5 months ago by Lara Loi.
I would be lying if I said my relationship with my body has always been healthy. Like many women my age (27), and many young girls growing up now, I have struggled with understanding, appreciating and simply being in my body. But I have come to realise that knowing your body is essential. Not just for your health or your confidence, but also for how you move through the world, including your work/studies.
There is often a disconnect between mind and body in the Western world. Everything is rationalised, measured, and pushed to keep going. But your body holds knowledge. It tells you when something feels right or wrong, when you need to rest, when you are out of sync (often before we realise it). I was raised in a family where both my parents led companies and they often spoke about the importance of intuition. They trusted their gut, and they encouraged me to do the same. At times this drove me crazy; I just wanted answers, and instead I got, “How do you feel about it?” or “What does your gut say?” But in hindsight, it was valuable advice.
Now, I notice that I lead better when I listen to my body. For me, leadership is not about constantly pushing through or performing at a certain pace. It also means knowing when to pause and when to rest. Just as importantly, it means offering that same space to others. Rest does not always need to be justified. You do not need to earn it. Our bodies are not machines, and neither are the people we work with. Being in tune with your body can make you a more empathetic and grounded leader; one who pays attention not only to the task at hand, but also to the people involved.
Your body is not separate from how you lead. It is always part of the conversation, whether you choose to listen or not.
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I would be lying if I said my relationship with my body has always been healthy. Like many women my age (27), and many young girls growing up now, I have struggled with understanding, appreciating and simply being in my body. But I have come to realise that knowing your body is essential. Not just for your health or your confidence, but also for how you move through the world, including your work/studies.
There is often a disconnect between mind and body in the Western world. Everything is rationalised, measured, and pushed to keep going. But your body holds knowledge. It tells you when something feels right or wrong, when you need to rest, when you are out of sync (often before we realise it). I was raised in a family where both my parents led companies and they often spoke about the importance of intuition. They trusted their gut, and they encouraged me to do the same. At times this drove me crazy; I just wanted answers, and instead I got, “How do you feel about it?” or “What does your gut say?” But in hindsight, it was valuable advice.
Now, I notice that I lead better when I listen to my body. For me, leadership is not about constantly pushing through or performing at a certain pace. It also means knowing when to pause and when to rest. Just as importantly, it means offering that same space to others. Rest does not always need to be justified. You do not need to earn it. Our bodies are not machines, and neither are the people we work with. Being in tune with your body can make you a more empathetic and grounded leader; one who pays attention not only to the task at hand, but also to the people involved.
Your body is not separate from how you lead. It is always part of the conversation, whether you choose to listen or not.
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Ouu! The tension between living in a body and living in a world that often treats that body as a machine. I must confess that I too have danced to the tune many times and not listened to my body as I should. I especially love the reminder that “your body is not separate from how you lead.” I hope to adopt a more humane model of leadership like your parents modelled. Thank you for sharing Lara!
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I totally agree with the disconnect between mind and body. We’d not only feel better generally, but I think we’d lead better if we were intentional about this sacred connection. For me, I started to close the gap by adding Yoga to my routine. It helped me to be aware of my mind-body connection AND release tension and emotions that were/are overwhelming. It has allowed me to be grounded and lead better from a sound mind. Thanks for sharing.
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I can also recognise myself in what you share… I have most often considered my body as a constraint, as something that prevents us, against our will, from sometimes pushing our limits. I rarely listened to the signals it gave me. Until developing an autoimmune disease during my first job at 24, where I had more than 80 people in my teams…. the doctor asked me if I had experienced a shock… but no, I had just supported a level of stress and had put myself under biologically unacceptable pressure. I then had to undergo an operation and be absent for 6 weeks. This enforced break was actually a gift as a leader. It allowed me to let go, trust my colleagues, and no longer feel indispensable.
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It’s such a meaningful topic for discussion especially in today’s busy world. For me over time, I realized that leadership starts with self-awareness, and I totally agree that our body holds the wisdom we need to perform at our best.
I used to be someone who views rest as “laziness”. I always feel like I need to work even harder. Now, I honor my need for rest, knowing that a short break or a full night’s sleep makes me more focused and creative. When I pay attention to my energy levels, I make better decisions.
I think nutrition is also often being overlooked as part of the energy management. I used to take in a lot of carbs for lunch and I would feel so tired/sleepy in the afternoon. Now a simple but nutritious lunch helps me stay sharp at work. As people often say: we are what we eat. Eating mindfully fuels our brain.
Leadership isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about working smarter. I have learnt to appreciate the body that carries me through each day.
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Lara, this really resonated with me especially your point about rest not needing to be earned. I’ve also learned (often the hard way) that leadership isn’t about constantly pushing through, but about knowing when to pause and honour what your body is telling you. Like you, I’ve found that tuning in to my physical cues not only helps me show up better for myself, but also makes me more present and compassionate with others. I do understand now that when my body feels heavy, it’s asking for rest and even which part of my body needs that rest. Sometimes I’m still not able to fully care for it in that moment, but I’m becoming more conscious than before.
Dance and other art forms have also helped me find new ways to express myself, and that expression has been healing. Slowly, I’m learning. Thank you for this reminder. 💛 -
Your honest reflection really hits home. I’ve also learned that true leadership comes when we honor our body’s signals—not just pushing through but knowing when to pause. This balance between action and rest has made me a more empathetic leader who values both results and well-being. Thank you for reminding us that leadership is as much about self-care as it is about driving goals.
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