Dr. Gerd Wirtz – What longevity has to do with modern leadership

In his guest article, Dr Gerd Wirtz explains why a company’s future viability depends not only on strategy and corporate culture, but also on the state of mind of the people in positions of responsibility.

When companies talk about future viability, the discussion usually centres on strategy, transformation, skills shortages, innovation or corporate culture. Strategies are in place, programmes have been launched, and yet implementation remains a struggle in many organisations.

This is because the performance of organisations does not depend solely on processes, structures and key performance indicators. It also depends on the mental and physical state in which leaders make decisions, set priorities, mediate conflicts and shape change.

Companies measure culture, engagement and performance in great detail. By contrast, they rarely assess the health of their leadership.

Leadership is not purely a technical skill

In organisations, leadership is often treated as a matter of competence: those who communicate clearly, delegate effectively and can motivate teams are regarded as good leaders. This is true, but it only captures part of the reality.

Leadership is always linked to biological and mental factors. Those who are constantly under pressure, sleep poorly and never get proper rest lead differently – even if this isn’t immediately apparent from the outside.

Decisions become more short-term. Reactions become more impulsive. Patience wanes. Openness to change diminishes. Complexity is perceived as a threat more quickly. This has direct consequences for teams, projects and the entire organisation.

The blind spot

Few companies systematically ask themselves under what conditions leadership actually takes place. How high is the chronic stress level at management level? How pronounced are sleep deprivation, mental fatigue and constant availability? How stable are focus and stress regulation? And to what extent do precisely these factors influence what actually happens in decision-making forums?

The connection here is no mere speculation: overload is a measurable risk factor – not only for the individuals affected, but for the organisations they lead.

Longevity is also an economic issue

Longevity is often associated with diet, exercise, sleep and preventive healthcare – in other words, with individual health behaviour. At its core, however, the question is how people can remain healthy, resilient and capable of performing for as long as possible. This is highly relevant for companies.

Expertise alone is not enough if one lacks the ability to keep a clear head under constant pressure. Equally important is the ability to remain clear-headed under pressure and to remain capable of action in the long term – without burning out. Anyone who views this as a private health issue underestimates how strongly this factor influences the performance of organisations.

Leadership health as an organisational issue

Health in a corporate context is often categorised under benefits, preventative measures and personal responsibility. This is too narrow a view.

When organisations demand that leaders provide direction under high pressure, drive change and guide teams through uncertainty, the question of whether these leaders possess the necessary prerequisites is no trivial matter. Companies that rely solely on individual resilience without considering the structural conditions under which leadership takes place are not addressing the problem at its root.

Conclusion

The future viability of companies depends on strategy, structures and culture – but also on the well-being of the people who bear responsibility. Those who lead under constant pressure affect not only their own health, but also the quality of decisions, collaboration and change processes throughout the organisation.

Longevity thus becomes an issue that extends far beyond health. It touches on leadership, performance and the question of how companies remain effective in the long term.

Book Gerd Wirtz for a talk on longevity and leadership: +1 (704) 804 1054 or gerd.wirtz@premium-speakers.com