- Revisited- Business development centers (BDCs) should consider introducing counseling skills
Erica Kesse
Taking a second Look at Business development centers (BDCs) should consider introducing counseling skills
Business development centers (BDCs) should consider introducing counseling skills to entrepreneurs because entrepreneurs often face challenges that can be difficult to overcome on their own. These challenges can include:
- Starting and running a business can be stressful. Entrepreneurs often have to deal with a lot of pressure, both from themselves and from others. This can lead to stress, anxiety, and even depression.
- Entrepreneurs can feel isolated. They may feel like they are the only ones who are going through what they are going through. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation.
- Entrepreneurs can make mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, but entrepreneurs are often more likely to make mistakes because they are taking risks. These mistakes can lead to financial losses, legal problems, and even personal problems.
Honey, You Need Counseling Skills: Heal Yourself, Ignite the Leader, Grow your Business by Erica Kess, LPC is a book that can help entrepreneurs deal with these challenges. The book provides entrepreneurs with counseling skills that can help them manage stress, build a support network, learn from mistakes, and more.
The 5 imperative counseling skills of vision casting, mission creation, communication skills, time management, and thrive planning are all essential for entrepreneurs. Vision casting is the ability to create a clear and compelling vision for the future. Mission creation is the process of defining the purpose of an organization. Communication skills are essential for entrepreneurs who need to be able to communicate effectively with employees, customers, and investors. Time management is essential for entrepreneurs who need to be able to manage their time effectively in order to get things done. Thrive planning is essential for entrepreneurs who need to be able to plan for the future and ensure that their business is successful.
Other counseling skills that would benefit entrepreneurs include:
- Problem-solving skills. Entrepreneurs need to be able to identify and solve problems in order to be successful.
- Decision-making skills. Entrepreneurs need to be able to make decisions quickly and effectively.
- Stress management. Entrepreneurs are often under a lot of stress, and they need to be able to manage that stress in order to be successful.
- Organizational skills. Entrepreneurs need to be able to organize their time and their work in order to be efficient and effective.
- Teamwork skills. Entrepreneurs often work with other people, and they need to be able to work effectively as part of a team.
- Motivation skills. Entrepreneurs need to be able to motivate themselves and others in order to be successful.
By developing these counseling skills, entrepreneurs can be more successful in their businesses.
The “always-on” culture glorifies constant availability, but for CEOs, it’s a recipe for burnout. This mindset creates mental health challenges that ripple across organizations, undermining leadership and performance. This post uncovers the hidden costs of being always on and offers solutions to protect CEO mental health. The High Cost of ‘Always On’ The World Health Organization estimates burnout costs the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. For CEOs, the stakes are higher: a 2024 Mind Share Partners study found that 60% of executives reported mental health struggles due to unrelenting work demands. This leads to poor decision-making, reduced creativity, and disengaged teams, as burned-out leaders struggle to inspire. The Ripple Effect on Teams When CEOs neglect boundaries, teams follow suit. A 2023 Gallup study showed that high-stress leadership correlates with 40% higher employee turnover. This not only disrupts operations but also increases recruitment costs, averaging $4,700 per hire (SHRM, 2024). Strategies to Break the ‘Always On’ Cycle Time-Block Your Day: Reserve uninterrupted time for strategic thinking and personal well-being. Set Communication Expectations: Inform your team when you’re unavailable, normalizing downtime. Prioritize Self-Care: Incorporate exercise or mindfulness into your routine. A 2022 Journal of Occupational Health study found that 20 minutes of daily mindfulness reduced executive stress by 30%. Seek Support: Engage a coach or therapist to navigate mental health challenges confidentially. The “always-on” mindset undermines CEO mental health and leadership effectiveness. By prioritizing boundaries and self-care, you protect your well-being and set a powerful example for your team. Take one step today—like scheduling a no-meeting day—to reclaim balance.
CEOs face relentless pressure to be “always on,” but this mindset creates burnout and undermines leadership. Setting boundaries is a powerful way to protect mental health while enhancing team performance. This playbook provides actionable steps for CEOs to establish boundaries, backed by research and tailored for leadership success. The Mental Health Case for Boundaries A 2023 Harvard Business Review study found that 76% of executives report burnout symptoms due to poor work-life boundaries. This not only harms CEOs’ mental health but also cascades to teams, reducing morale and productivity. Boundary-setting is a leadership skill that preserves energy and focus, enabling sustainable success. The Boundary-Setting Playbook Define Your Limits: Identify non-negotiable personal time (e.g., no meetings after 6 PM). Communicate these to your team clearly. Leverage Technology: Use tools like email scheduling or “Do Not Disturb” modes to enforce digital boundaries. Delegate Strategically: Empower your team to handle routine decisions, freeing mental space. A 2021 McKinsey report notes that delegation boosts leader mental health by 25%. Monitor and Adjust: Regularly check in with yourself and your team to ensure boundaries are respected. Adjust as needed to maintain balance. Boundary-setting is a cornerstone of effective CEO leadership and mental health. By defining limits, leveraging tools, and delegating, you model sustainable practices that uplift your team. Start with one boundary this week and track its impact on your well-being.
As a CEO, your leadership sets the tone for your organization’s culture. But are you fostering an environment where employees feel safe to share ideas and concerns? Psychological safety, a critical factor for mental health, is the foundation of high-performing teams. This guide explores how CEOs can model boundaries to create a mentally healthy workplace, backed by research and practical steps. Why Psychological Safety Matters for Mental Health Psychological safety—where employees feel secure to take risks without fear of judgment—directly impacts mental health. A 2015 Google study, Project Aristotle, found that psychological safety was the top predictor of team success, driving innovation and collaboration. For CEOs, fostering this environment starts with intentional leadership. Poor psychological safety leads to stress, disengagement, and higher turnover, costing businesses billions annually, according to Gallup’s 2023 workplace report. How CEOs Can Model Boundaries for Psychological Safety Set Clear Communication Norms: Announce no after-hours emails unless urgent. This signals respect for personal time, reducing employee stress. Lead with Vulnerability: Share your own workload challenges or mental health strategies. A 2022 Deloitte study found that 80% of employees trust leaders who openly discuss mental health. Encourage Feedback: Create anonymous channels for team input, showing that dissent is welcome. Train Managers: Equip leadership teams to recognize burnout and enforce boundaries, reinforcing a culture of care. CEOs who prioritize psychological safety through boundary-setting create workplaces where mental health thrives. By modeling clear boundaries and fostering open communication, you drive innovation and loyalty. Start today by assessing your team’s psychological safety and setting one new boundary.