What Frank Ocean's Coachella absence teaches us about self-care in leadership
Frank Ocean’s decision to drop out of the second weekend of Coachella came after much online chatter of his initial headlining performance, but may still seem like a minor blip in the grand scheme of life. However, there’s a valuable leadership lesson to be learned from his actions.
As a leader, it’s important to recognize when to prioritize your well-being over external expectations. Ocean’s decision to drop out of the festival was not easy, but it was the right one for him at the time. Despite the disappointment of fans and organizers, he prioritized his health and artistic integrity over fulfilling his contractual obligations.
This type of decision-making is often challenging and loaded, but leaders need to prioritize their own well-being and the well-being of their teams. When leaders take the time to be appropriately selfish, they can avoid burnout and ensure they can perform at their best in the long term.
Leaders should also recognize that tough decisions can have ripple effects throughout their organization. By modeling healthy behavior and prioritizing self-care, leaders can encourage their teams to do the same. This culture shift can lead to a more productive and fulfilled workforce, ultimately benefiting the organization. Leader and coach Craig Groeschel aptly ends each of his monthly podcasts by saying, “Everyone wins when the leader gets better.”
We can learn a valuable lesson from Frank Ocean’s decision to drop out of the second weekend of Coachella. By prioritizing well-being and modeling healthy behavior for their teams, leaders can create a culture of productivity and fulfillment that benefits everyone involved.
