From Burnout to Balance: Lessons in Leadership, Growth, and Living Authentically

Over the years, I’ve worked in a variety of environments, each with its own unique leadership style and approach to employee well-being. Some were supportive and empowering, while others felt ambiguous and disengaging. As I reflect on my career in my mid-40s, I realize just how much I’ve learned—not only about leadership, but about my own ability to shape a workplace that aligns with my values and places importance on the nurturing of the whole person in the workplace. The journey has taught me that fostering an environment where people feel valued and supported requires intention and self-awareness. It’s this journey that has shaped my vision for the future and the kind of environment in which I truly want to thrive.

I have always been driven by goals, fueled by a commitment to excellence, and drawn strength from my identity as a high performer. I still remember the excitement of my first real job after college, the hunger to absorb everything I could. I eagerly cross-trained across roles, feeling an innate pull to immerse myself in every aspect of the laboratory. This desire to be involved in all things led to a growing dedication, with my days and, eventually, my identity becoming increasingly tied to my work. Over the next two decades, I found empowerment in knowing the complexities of my field, equating my worth as an employee to the hours I invested. My dedication did not go unnoticed, and with each passing year, my responsibilities grew. Yet, as these responsibilities compounded, I found myself gradually submerged, carrying a weight that, at times, left me struggling to breathe. I felt under-supported by my leadership, which only intensified my sense of inadequacy. Imposter syndrome is a real thing! Paradoxically, this lack of support pushed me to work even harder, driving me to put in longer hours in an endless cycle of trying to prove myself. Anxiety became a constant presence, spilling over into my personal life, where I felt increasingly distant and disconnected from the person I once was. My home life suffered, and I reached a point where I could barely recognize myself, wondering how I had become so consumed by the demands of work. Yet, as a single mom of two kids, I didn’t see any other way forward. I convinced myself that perseverance was my only option, even as the toll on my well-being became harder to ignore.

What’s more, I held leadership roles in these organizations and had a degree of influence over the workplace culture. I tried to ensure that my small corner of the organization was a positive space where my team felt heard and supported. I made it my mission to foster a supportive environment, hoping my efforts would make a difference. But ultimately, it wasn’t enough. When support and guidance for the whole human are lacking from the top down, it becomes incredibly difficult to lead effectively. As I struggled to keep myself afloat, I realized that I could only do so much for my team when I was struggling to support myself. Despite my best intentions, I was caught in a cycle where I was unable to provide the environment I aspired to create because I was drowning in my own challenges.

Through my years in leadership, I learned the profound impact of nurturing the whole person—mind, body, and spirit—in the workplace. A truly successful leader understands that when employees are mentally engaged, physically healthy, and spiritually fulfilled, they bring their best selves to work. This holistic approach not only enhances productivity but also fosters creativity, resilience, and genuine job satisfaction. By prioritizing well-rounded well-being, leaders cultivate a positive culture, foster collaboration, and create a foundation for sustainable success. In my leadership roles, I strived to embody this philosophy and tried to create spaces where my team felt supported as whole individuals. Yet, I came to understand that true, transformative change requires collective commitment. While I did my best to nurture this approach within my sphere of influence, I realized that meaningful progress relies on a unified vision—a full leadership team aligned in prioritizing the complete health and happiness of their teams. Only then can an organization truly thrive in a way that reflects the value of each individual.

This is a really hard thing to do. Organizations and their leaders are constantly balancing a multitude of priorities, and running a business is full of complexities and challenges. Beyond daily operations, there are endless financial, strategic, and regulatory demands to manage, each one critical to staying competitive and compliant. In the midst of these pressures, nurturing the whole human can feel like an overwhelming addition. It requires intentional effort to create spaces where team members feel genuinely valued, heard, and supported—not just as employees, but as individuals with unique needs and aspirations. It means fostering an environment that promotes mental well-being, life-work balance, and personal growth, even when resources are stretched thin, and demands are unrelenting. Balancing these responsibilities is no small feat, yet it’s essential for building a culture that supports sustained success and a truly engaged workforce. I think most organizations try to do right by their employees, and yet some fall short because ensuring the lights are kept on and the bills are paid often takes precedence over the deeper, human elements of work. With so many urgent demands, it’s easy for well-being initiatives to take a backseat. However, when leaders and organizations intentionally make space for the whole person approach, they create a foundation for both individual fulfillment and lasting success. It’s a challenging path, but one worth pursuing.

You know, life has a way of pressing pause when you least expect it, offering a chance to reset and gain perspective—even when you’re too close to see the bigger picture. I was given an unexpected opportunity to step back from the environment I’d become so immersed in, allowing me to reflect on how I’d drifted so far from my true self. This pause became a turning point, giving me the space to re-evaluate my path and consider how to move forward with renewed clarity and purpose.? One of the biggest lessons I learned was about the true nature of the work-life balance.? I once believed I had achieved it but stepping away revealed how much I had compromised. Dade G.’s article, LIFE Work Balance: Rethinking Our Priorities With Gratitude and Humility, resonated deeply, as he reframes "work-life balance" to "LIFE-work balance," emphasizing that while work is essential, it is LIFE that gives us true meaning. This shift in perspective has been pivotal in my own journey toward healthier boundaries and it wasn’t just about cutting back hours- it was about redefining what success true means to me.

Success, I’ve come to realize, is far more than career achievements or hours logged at work. It’s about aligning my personal values with my professional actions, finding purpose in each day, and being present for the people who matter most to me. Success means having the freedom to nurture my passions, both inside and outside of work, and creating space for personal growth alongside professional responsibilities. It’s also about the quality of my impact—not just what I accomplish, but how I uplift others and create positive change. True success, for me, includes the balance to prioritize well-being, making time for reflection, health, and joy, rather than feeling pulled in every direction. Ultimately, success is about living authentically, achieving goals in harmony with my principles, and fostering an environment where both my career and personal life can thrive together.

Today, I’m fortunate to work for an organization that not only demonstrates strong leadership but genuinely prioritizes the well-being of the whole person. Our leaders set clear, achievable goals, foster open dialogue, and value each team member’s contributions, creating an environment where ideas are thoughtfully considered and respected. We actively strive for an eight-hour workday, promoting an approach where everyone can end the day feeling accomplished without sacrificing personal time and energy. To help achieve this, we regularly stop to align and re-align priorities, ensuring that our work focuses on what matters most and that we avoid burnout from unnecessary tasks. Leaders encourage us to check in with one another, fostering a supportive team atmosphere, and remind us to take breaks to recharge when needed. With leadership that champions LIFE-work balance, reinforces healthy boundaries, and supports personal growth, we experience the difference between merely working and truly thriving.

There are times when I slip back into old patterns, feeling self-critical about my productivity or guilty for needing to step away to care for my family. But my leadership team is always there to catch me, helping me realign, encouraging me to prioritize what matters, and fully supporting me as a whole person. Their commitment to nurturing well-being reminds me that balance isn’t just encouraged—it’s integral to our success.

In the end, finding a place where I can thrive both personally and professionally has transformed my perspective on success. It’s not just about meeting goals—it's about creating a meaningful balance, nurturing growth, and feeling truly supported along the way. Here’s to building careers and lives where we can all flourish, together!

To read the article on LIFE-work balance by Dade G: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/life-work-balance-rethinking-our-priorities-gratitude-dade-gaylord-liive/?trackingId=%2B13h8mTvT0CB9j2gJLo8ZQ%3D%3D

To learn read more interesting blog posts on leadership at Reference Medicine check out our blog post page: https://www.referencemedicine.com/blog

#LeadershipMatters #ThrivingAtWork #EmployeeWellbeing #PositiveCulture #LifeWorkBalance #ReferenceMedicine

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