Sunday, 14 March 2021

The Link between Sleep and Performance of Leaders

Thou hast no figures nor no fantasies, Which busy care draws in the brains of men; Therefore thou sleep’st so sound. —William Shakespeare, Julius Caesar 

 In the passage above, Brutus enviously reflects on the timeless truth that people without worries and anxieties his servant Lucius, enjoys the most peaceful and uninterrupted rest. 

We have seen once in a while how senior execs, caffeinated and worn out, after hours of wakeful slumber, struggle to recall simple facts, seem disengaged and uninspired, lack patience with others, and can’t think through problems or reach clear-cut decisions. 

 McKinsey's research has highlighted a strong correlation between leadership performance and organizational health,2 itself a strong predictor of a healthy bottom line. the research found that four types of leadership behavior are most commonly associated with high-quality executive teams: the ability to operate with a strong orientation to results, to solve problems effectively, to seek out different perspectives, and to support others. In all four cases, is a proven link between sleep and effective leadership.

From a Software Engineer to a CTO