7 habits of mentally strong leaders

While we may be under the impression that mentally strong individuals are epic figures - like Olympic athletes or war heroes - these false views often deceive the true picture of what mental champions are really like.

In reality, mental toughness in daily life is not as detectable and bombastic, yet it's there, and it's real. Besides, developing mental strength is crucial to achieving your goals and leading others to attain theirs.

With each step you take, you will grow stronger and stronger, more and more skilled, more and more self-confident, and more and more successful." - Mark Victor Hansen

Fortunately, mental strength can be learned, practiced, and mastered if you adopt habits that build grit and resilience.

So, what makes a real mentally strong leader? Let’s dive right in...

1️⃣ They are big askers

Asking questions is an overlooked skill. Leaders often conclude that people want answers — fearless, dashing affirmations that build others’ confidence. But as a matter of fact, such behavior is detrimental to trust, especially in a fast-paced, growing environment where so much is uncertain.

Rather than assuming they have all the answers, effective leaders understand that asking **and listening is the best way to engage and empower employees. **They ask powerful and inspiring questions, let others know they don’t have all the answers, and ask for help to find them.

2️⃣ They remain calm when triggered

While most workers want a leader with the drive and energy to hit the ground running, they also want to be rest assured that their leader will take appropriate measures calmly and professionally when a crisis knocks on their door.

Stress and worry are powered by our own thoughts and perception of occurrences — the more one ruminates on negative thoughts, the more power one gives them. Mentally strong leaders have good self-awareness of what triggers them and know that managing the internal chatter is the only way to evaluate the veracity of the problem.

You may not be able to control your circumstances, but you can always control how you react to them.

90% of top performers are skilled at managing their emotions in times of stress in order to remain calm and in control.

- Research conducted by @talentsmart

3️⃣ They use action as an antidote to overthinking

All of us experience moments of stress, and the tricky thing about this is that it’s an absolutely vital emotion. Our performance peaks under moderated stress levels as our brains receive it as a trigger to take action. Stress is natural — we are all humans, aren’t we? But what we can’t do is fall into a constant loop of worrying and analysing.

Emotionally tough leaders know there’s no good in dwelling on life’s circumstances. Instead, they carefully summon stressful emotions, put things in perspective, redirect their attention away from their minds and consciously act.

4️⃣ They regularly do things that frighten them.

"If you hear a voice within you say 'you cannot paint,' then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced." — Vincent van Gogh

Fear isn’t always a sign of what to avoid. In reality, most of our fears are not based on facts, and not allowing these to get the best of you is crucial for successful leadership.

Being a leader is hard, and while many appear to be overflowing with confidence and conviction, their inner selves are filled with fears and uncertainties. Hard things require grit and discipline, which is why mentally strong leaders develop the resilience to overcome the fears that are inescapably faced when in a leadership role.

5️⃣ They don’t avoid uncomfortable conversations.

Holding direct, upfront conversations requires the extra courage and moral fibre that only the mentally toughest people have, which is critical to helping everyone perform at their highest levels.

Mentally strong leaders are aware of how their words and actions may influence others’ behaviours. For this, they are willing to conduct challenging conversations even when addressing the matter is uncomfortable. By being proactive about having difficult conversations, those in leadership roles will create better outcomes for all parties involved.

6️⃣ They always take accountability

“When an organisation’s culture is embedded in honesty and integrity, it enables people to acknowledge mistakes without fear of blame and to work with the team to reflect, learn and move forward positively.”

- @Pete Lowe

All leaders should know that a culture of accountability leads to trust, loyalty, and growth. By holding themselves accountable for their actions and mistakes, mentally strong individuals show that they care more about a positive outcome than they do for their image or ego.

These professionals are aware that people are far more likely to remember how they dealt with a problem than how the problem came to light in the first place. Mentally strong leaders lead by example, accepting full responsibility for their actions and inspiring those around them to learn and grow from their mistakes.

7️⃣ They trust their instincts

Leaders face important decisions on a daily basis, but there isn't always a clear choice. When the facts don't present a clear alternative, mentally strong leaders can balance conscious reasoning with their intuitive sense of the best course of action.

There's a fragile line between trusting your instincts and being impulsive, and knowing when to rely on your gut involves thoroughly evaluating the situation, considering different angles, and using previous experiences to come to a decision. Knowing when to use the "sixth sense" as a compass is an accurate indicator of mental strength.

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The bottom line? Well, leaders who are strong in the head are needed now more than ever. Breaking the mold, assuming risks, and leading in a world of uncertainties require determination and willpower that only mental champions have. Fortunately, you can become one of them if you adopt habits that set you apart from the crowd.