Why Leaders Are More Prone to Burnout (and How to Prevent It)
Alex Holmes
Hypnotherapist | Hypno-Coach | Existenitalist | Group Facilitator | Mental Health Speaker | Author | Host of Time To Talk with Alex Holmes.
Leadership comes with its own set of challenges.
Sitting in a room with mental health leaders weekly, I am astounded by how many things come up in space. There is continual pressure to perform, and to make the right decisions (let alone make the crucial ones) and while we lead teams to success, burnout can be just around the corner.
I have watched leaders feel unsupported in their workloads and mental health. I have watched them double-book meetings, show up late to interventions, struggle to keep up with emails, and miscommunicate key ideas to their teams.
This is what happens when leaders take on too much, with not enough support. They are seen as invincible and always in control - and this means that people are particularly vulnerable.
You begin to ask yourself questions.
The money is great, right? You feel that you should be successful...? Does it feel worth it?
Well, you're not alone.
Despite the outward success, the internal pressures of maintaining high performance, meeting expectations, and balancing work-life demands can take a significant toll on your mental and physical well-being.
Let's look at why leaders are more prone to burnout, and how Beyond The Boardroom , a coaching program designed for leaders, can help prevent it by equipping them with tools to manage stress effectively.
The Unique Stressors of Leadership
Leaders face a distinct set of stressors that contribute to their risk of burnout:
Constant Pressure to Perform
Leaders are expected to consistently deliver results, often in high-pressure environments. The weight of responsibility — for the business’s success, employees’ well-being, and meeting financial targets — can lead to chronic stress.
This "always-on" mentality leaves little room for recovery, increasing the risk of burnout.
Decision Fatigue
Leaders are often required to make multiple critical decisions throughout the day, which can lead to decision fatigue. The mental exhaustion that comes from constantly weighing complex options can drain energy reserves and decrease the ability to think clearly, ultimately leading to feelings of overwhelm.
Isolation at the Top
Many leaders feel isolated. As a decision-maker, it can be challenging to show vulnerability or share struggles with colleagues or subordinates. This isolation often prevents leaders from seeking the support they need, further increasing the likelihood of burnout.
Imposter Syndrome
Even highly successful leaders can experience imposter syndrome, doubting their capabilities and fearing they’ll be exposed as frauds. This internal pressure to prove themselves adds to the emotional load, increasing stress and anxiety over time.
Neglecting Self-Care
Leaders often prioritise the needs of their teams, clients, or stakeholders over their well-being. This self-sacrificing behavior can lead to the neglect of self-care practices such as proper sleep, exercise, and mental health care, all of which are critical in managing stress and preventing burnout.
The Cost of Burnout
Burnout is more than just feeling tired or stressed; it’s a state of chronic physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion. It can manifest in various ways, including decreased productivity, lack of motivation, irritability, and even physical symptoms like headaches or insomnia. For leaders, burnout can also affect their ability to lead effectively, communicate with their teams, and make sound decisions — all of which are crucial for organisational success.
More importantly, burnout takes a toll on personal health and relationships. Many high-performing leaders who experience burnout report feeling disconnected from their families, losing sight of their passions, or experiencing health problems related to chronic stress.
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How Beyond The Boardroom Helps Leaders Manage Stress and Prevent Burnout
As a mental health and leadership specialist I provide leaders with the tools to not only manage their stress but also prevent it from leading to burnout.
Here's how:
One of the key elements of the Beyond The Boardroom program is the focus on emotional resilience. Through group coaching sessions, leaders are encouraged to share their challenges in a safe, confidential space. This vulnerability helps them reconnect with their emotions, understand their stress triggers, and develop strategies to cope with them before they escalate.
Leaders often feel alone in their struggles, but the group coaching aspect of Beyond The Boardroom fosters a community of like-minded professionals who understand the unique pressures of leadership. This support network creates a space where leaders can share, receive feedback, and learn from one another’s experiences. It reduces the sense of isolation and provides much-needed emotional support.
Alongside the group sessions, participants receive personalised one-on-one coaching. These sessions offer leaders the opportunity to dive deeper into their stressors, explore their emotional patterns, and receive tailored strategies for managing their mental health.
This personalised approach ensures that each leader gets the support they need to navigate their specific challenges.
Beyond The Boardroom goes beyond traditional leadership coaching by integrating mental health and well-being into the core of its curriculum. Leaders are encouraged to prioritise self-care practices, from mindfulness and meditation to journaling and exercise.
The program emphasises that taking care of one’s mental and physical health is not a luxury but a necessity for sustained success.
The program also helps leaders redefine what success looks like. Instead of perpetuating the myth that constant busyness equals productivity, Beyond The Boardroom encourages leaders to focus on sustainable success, where emotional well-being, personal fulfillment, and professional achievement coexist.
By shifting their mindset, leaders can let go of the unrealistic expectations that often lead to burnout and instead pursue a healthier, more balanced approach to leadership.
Leaders face a unique set of challenges that make them more prone to burnout, but it doesn’t have to be inevitable. Programs like Beyond The Boardroom equip leaders with the tools and support they need to manage stress, build resilience, and prevent burnout before it takes hold.
By prioritising emotional well-being and self-leadership, leaders can not only excel in their roles but also lead happier, healthier lives — both in and out of the boardroom.
If you're a leader feeling the weight of burnout or you’re looking to proactively manage stress, consider exploring Beyond The Boardroom to discover how you can lead with clarity, resilience, and fulfillment.
Ready to redefine leadership on your terms?
Learn more about Beyond The Boardroom and how it can help you manage stress, prevent burnout, and lead with confidence. Visit alexholmes.co/beyondtheboardroom for more details and to sign up for the next program cohort.