What Heatwaves Can Teach Us About Selfish Leadership

When the heat rises, your leadership boundaries should too.

Right now, we’re enduring our second heatwave in as many weeks – and while the world slows down, leaders often speed up.

Meetings still happen. Expectations still loom. Deadlines? Relentless.

But maybe they shouldn’t be.

Heatwaves aren’t just weather. They’re warning signs – nudging leaders to reassess energy, boundaries, and resilience. In hot conditions, wise leadership isn’t about pushing through. It’s about pausing, pivoting, and preserving your wellbeing.

That’s where the SELF framework of Selfish Leadership comes in:

• Set Boundaries
• Elevate Wellbeing
• Lead with Intention
• Foster Growth

Set Boundaries: Literally Cool Down Your Calendar

Everything doesn’t need to happen today. Give yourself permission to slow the pace.

Shift meetings. Cancel the ones that don’t matter. Take that 15-minute screen break.

You’re not being lazy—you’re leading with clarity. Strategic leaders don’t just move—they choose when to move.

Elevate Wellbeing: Hydrate and Recalibrate

Intense heat impacts everything – your brain, your body, and your decisions.

You don’t need to be a hero. You need to be human. Eat lighter. Drink more water. Rest if your energy dips.

In other words, listen to your body before it forces you to.

Also, be aware that certain medications – like antidepressants, stimulants, or antipsychotics – can make you more prone to overheating. If you’re on any of these, pay even closer attention to how your body feels and stay ahead of the symptoms.

Lead with Intention: Choose Flow Over Force

Foggy from the heat? Short-tempered? That’s your cue to pause.

Reacting while depleted leads to regrettable choices. So before making decisions, ask yourself:

• Is this my clearest thinking?
• Do I need more space or rest?

If the answer is yes, postpone. In leadership, timing is everything.

Foster Growth: Model Sustainable Leadership

How you treat yourself sets the tone for everyone around you.

If you grind through 30-degree days, your team might feel they have to do the same. That’s not leadership – it’s self-neglect in disguise.

Instead, show them it’s okay to:

• Protect their time
• Guard their focus
• Crank up the air conditioning guilt-free

In turn, you create a culture of care, not burnout.

My Final Thought: The Heat Is a Mirror

Heatwaves don’t just test the temperature – they test your leadership reflexes.

If you’re feeling the burn, it’s not weakness. It’s wisdom knocking. A signal to reset.

Slow down. Reclaim your energy. Lead like you mean to last.

Because in this kind of heat, the smartest thing a leader can do… is be just a little more selfish.

Ready to Put This into Practice?

If you’re a business owner or senior leader ready to make your wellbeing your strongest asset, let’s work together.

💡 Discover my 1:1 Selfish Leadership Mentoring Programme

Or just drop me a message—because leadership begins with one bold decision.