Embracing the Circle: How Women Leaders Flourish with Strong Social Roots

I think social wellness is an essential factor on the leadership journey, yet it is often underappreciated. Social wellness refers to your ability to form satisfying interpersonal relationships and navigate social environments effectively. It is often a blend of forming fruitful relationships in business, family ties, and friendships. By the way, all of these intricately mesh with a woman's professional trajectory and personal growth. Let me tell you how.

The Connecting Effect

Connecting goes beyond networking. It involves establishing a more personal bond with someone. It's about building trust and developing a rapport that transcends a transactional relationship. Although networking is no longer just exchanging business cards or LinkedIn info, when you connect with someone, you are not just looking to see what you can gain from the relationship. Instead, you're seeking to create a meaningful link that might grow over time into a substantive, ongoing relationship. True connections often result in friendships that can naturally lead to the support you need to have a successful career or build a a thriving business.

Family Foundations

Family relationships can be the foundation to build success. Having a supportive home environment where women leaders can thrive makes what you do worth it even more. When family members understand and align with a woman's professional goals, they become her cheerleaders. Now, the reality is, not everyone is supported at home. Don't forget...

“Family isn’t always blood, it’s the people in your life who want you in theirs: the ones who accept you for who you are, the ones who would do anything to see you smile and who love you no matter what.” – Maya Angelou

The Role of Friendship

Similarly, friendships play a pivotal role in your social wellness. Friends can offer an escape from the pressure of it all. They give you the space to just be. True friendships help maintain a sense of normalcy and provide emotional support and a different perspective on the challenges you might face as a leader. When friends share or support your vision, they contribute to a robust support system that underpins your professional life, encouraging perseverance and providing a balance between work and personal fulfillment.

The Path to Holistic Success

For women leaders, social wellness is not simply a nice-to-have, but a strategic aspect of their overall success. It influences their resilience, provides essential support, and enriches their leadership qualities. When a woman leader's social wellness is nurtured—encompassing connections, familial alignment, and supportive friendships—it not only propels her forward but also reinforces the collective advancement of women in leadership roles. So, investing time and energy into cultivating social wellness is just as crucial as developing professional skills. After all, behind every successful woman is a network of relationships that sustains and supports her toward her goals.

“Well-being cannot exist just in your own head. Well-being is a combination of feeling good as well as actually having meaning, good relationships and accomplishment.” – Martin Seligman