Sleep is imperative for leaders to make sound decisions

Sleep is a critical factor in maintaining good health – be it physical, mental, or emotional well-being. A good night's sleep also improves cognitive performance, apart from enhancing decision-making abilities. In fact, it is the third pillar of good health coupled with exercise and nutrition.

In today’s fast-paced world, our sleep is often compromised for work, personal and professional commitments, and entertainment. It is even more important for leaders to prioritize the value of sleep as their roles entail taking strategic decisions in this highly competitive world almost every day, in addition to leading teams effectively, and sticking to ethics and principles – some of the most important qualities. Leaders with a good night's rest are less likely to experience health problems such as obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

Leaders face a lot of stress and a wide range of challenges, both internal and external, that require them to be resilient, adaptable, and skilled in managing complex situations. For instance, a CEO must be able to make difficult decisions that may be unpopular but are necessary for the success of the organization. They must be able to balance competing interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of the organization as a whole. Leaders must be able to manage resources effectively, including budgets, time, and personnel.

Several studies suggest better decision-making is aided by proper rest at night. For instance, a study published in the international interdisciplinary journal Neuropsychologia found that participants who had a good night bedtime before taking a complex problem-solving task performed significantly better than those who were sleep-deprived.
 

Indeed, sleep deprivation causes leaders to find restlessness at work and increase the probability of misbehaving with colleagues, instead of improving charismatic behavior. Sometimes, leaders behave unethically, inviting more problems at work.

In India too, sleep challenges can be felt. According to ResMed’s 2022 global sleep survey, nearly 55% of adults disclosed trouble sleeping at least three nights a week. Over 50% of respondents are using sleep trackers while 35% expressed interest to record their health patterns that can be impacted by sleeping behavior.

What is the possible solution? It is time for India to embrace naps as a desirable activity, like the way in the USA, Japan, and Spain. Napping at work has been positively viewed in many countries, with leading companies like Google and Price Waterhouse Cooper having nap pods for employees, as the organizations feel that the downtime will bring considerable improvement in productivity.

Education and awareness initiatives should be emphasized on sleep disorders so that due importance is given to everyone’s daily routines in the long run.

However, ignoring sleep can lead to fatigue, poor judgment and creativity, and a lack of self-control. Moreover, there could be other underlying health issues and side effects that may not be known by the organizations.

If one makes sleep a non-negotiable part of their daily routine, he/she will be a more successful leader who can inspire better work at the workplace. So do not undermine the importance of a good night's sleep that is imperative to make a sound and ethical decision to transform society and the world as a whole.

The author of this article is the CEO, NTT DATA Payment Services India Mr. Dewang Neralla