Transform Your Weekends: Empowering Rituals of Emotionally Intelligent Leaders

Weekends can reveal a lot about a leader’s emotional intelligence. When the workweek ends, and the pressures fade, we see their true priorities. Without meetings, deadlines, or team expectations, a leader’s choices show what really matters to them.

During weekdays, many leaders react to demands. They are caught up in a cycle of meetings, decisions, and managing stakeholders. But emotionally intelligent leaders use their weekends for renewal. They reset their minds and focus on leading with clarity and compassion for the coming week.

Ankur Bhuva, CEO of Leadership Accelerator, shares key weekend habits that enhance emotional intelligence. These habits help build a strong inner foundation.

Disconnect to Reconnect

Emotionally smart leaders understand the power of stepping back. Taking breaks from emails and group chats is vital. Being constantly accessible can cloud judgment with others’ urgencies. Unplugging helps clear the mind, allowing leaders to think clearly and act wisely during the week.

Try this: For four hours on Sunday, switch off your phone. Notice what thoughts arise when distractions are gone—that’s where your true insights lie.

Check Your Emotions

Leaders take time to assess their feelings over the weekend. They reflect: What emotions did I feel this week? Where did I struggle or succeed? Understanding these emotions helps leaders respond thoughtfully rather than react impulsively. It’s about recognizing patterns and learning from them.

Tip: Jot down the three strongest emotions you felt last week. What triggered them? What do they reveal about you as a leader?

Invest in Relationships

Instead of catching up on work, emotionally intelligent leaders focus on personal connections. They spend quality time with friends and family, reminding themselves of who they are beyond their job titles. Strong relationships provide the emotional energy necessary for effective leadership.

Suggestion: Ask someone you care about, “How’s your heart today?” and listen actively.

Create Micro-Sabbaths

Leaders don’t need to meditate for hours. They find small moments of peace, or micro-sabbaths, in their weekends. Whether it’s enjoying a cup of tea in silence, gardening, or simply reading, these rituals help calm the mind and strengthen their inner selves.

Idea: Choose one simple ritual this weekend. Give it your full attention and see how it soothes your mind.

Plan for More than Work

Weekend planning isn’t only about the upcoming week; it’s also about personal wellness. Emotionally intelligent leaders think about when they will exercise, rest, and connect with energizing people. This helps them start Monday not feeling frantic but ready and balanced.

On Sunday evening, plan one activity for your body, one for your mind, and one for your soul for the upcoming week.

Revisit Your Purpose

Weekends also offer a chance to reflect on deeper purposes. Leadership transcends job titles; it’s about improving lives and leaving a lasting positive impact. Leaders often ask themselves: Why do I do this? Who am I serving? Am I aligned with my values? This introspection helps them lead with meaning, not just ambition.

Challenge yourself: Identify a current issue and ask, “How can I handle this in a way that reflects my best self?”

These weekend strategies are more than just productivity tips. They help leaders blend strategy with humanity. Ultimately, emotional intelligence isn’t measured by how composed someone appears in meetings but by how safe people feel in their presence and how true they remain to themselves.

For more insights about emotional intelligence in leadership, you might find this Official Report on Leadership Skills useful.

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