Are You Driving Success or Burnout? The Leader’s Dilemma

Welcome to "The Path to Peak Performance," a newsletter dedicated to exploring the depths of organizational excellence, authentic leadership, and team optimization. This space is where professional insights meet real-life experiences. Here, you'll find a blend of strategic advice and personal anecdotes, including stories about my kids, my husband, and the challenges I faced deep in the ABA field.

Ever feel like work is your “hobby”?

As CEOs, we know the dedication it takes to lead with purpose. But sometimes, that dedication can blur the lines between passion and pressure.

Let’s ask ourselves: Is our passion inspiring our teams—or unintentionally leading them toward burnout?

Look, I get it—when you’re in the CEO seat, work isn’t just a job. It’s a part of you. You’re driven by something deeper. And hey, let’s be real: there’s nothing wrong with feeling that fire, that pull to create, build, and push the boundaries. When work becomes more than a paycheck, it can feel like a gift, right? And for a while, it is.

But what happens when that gift starts taking something back?

I’ve seen it happen before. A CEO I know (let’s call her a friend) loved her role—it was more than just work; it was her thing. She was the first one in, last one out, completely invested. Her passion spread through the company, and people around her felt it, too. That enthusiasm lit everyone up—until it didn’t.

Before long, people started showing signs of burnout. The culture shifted. Unspoken rules started to form, and it became clear: if you weren’t all in, were you really on the team? Then, the dominoes started to fall. High turnover, a drop in morale, and the unshakable feeling that something was missing.

Passion + Balance: A Fine Line

Let’s be honest, friend to friend: when you love work this much, it’s easy to forget that not everyone else does—or needs to. So how do we lead with passion without pushing others to the edge? Here’s where we can start:

1. Create Safe Spaces for Feedback

Ever had someone close to you gently hold up a mirror?

That’s what your team’s voices should be for you. Make regular feedback a part of the culture. It’s not always easy to hear, but those voices are priceless, giving you an honest reflection of what’s working—and what’s not.

“It is far better to recognize weaknesses and deal with them than to ignore them.” – Ray Dalio, Principles

Companies that build strong communication practices experience significant improvements. For instance, Patagonia achieved an industry-low 4% turnover rate by fostering a supportive, transparent culture.

2. Model Balance

Be real with me: When was the last time you actually unplugged? And, not because you were sick, or a milestone event occurred?

People see it when we don’t rest, and they take their cues from us. Show them that stepping away is okay.

When you model that balance, you’re giving everyone permission to recharge.

“Who we are is how we lead.” – Brené Brown, Dare to Lead

As leaders, our behavior sets the standard. Showing up authentically—by embracing balance—sends a powerful message that well-being matters at every level.

3. Celebrate Their Passions, Too

You’ve got your own fire for this work, but let’s remember: outside hobbies fuel creativity and resilience.

They make us better leaders!

Encourage everyone to have their own “thing” outside of work, whether that’s a hobby or simply time for themselves. This isn’t just about balance; it’s about allowing people to bring their full selves into the workplace.

“The secret to high performance…[is] our deep-seated desire to direct our own lives, to learn and create new things, and to do better by ourselves and our world.” – Daniel H. Pink, Drive

Supporting employees’ passions fosters intrinsic motivation, driving creativity and sustainable performance.

4. Value Self-Care and Resilience as Much as Success

I mean, I'm just keeping it real, self-care isn’t just for “mental health days.” It’s the fuel that keeps long-term productivity alive. Make it clear that protecting one’s well-being isn’t just acceptable—it’s essential.

When was the last time you told someone to take a break, get some air? That small encouragement can mean a lot, reinforcing a culture where people can excel and sustain.

“Leadership is not about being in charge. It is about taking care of those in your charge.” – Simon Sinek, Leaders Eat Last

Consider Microsoft’s shift under CEO Satya Nadella. When he took over, he reshaped the company’s culture from a “Know it All” to a “Learn it All” approach, focusing on a growth mindset. This transformation reduced employee turnover, increased morale, and reignited innovation across teams.

A Hard Truth

I’m going to be blunt because you and I both know it’s the truth: if we let our passion push others too far, we’ll end up burning out the very people helping build this vision.

Finding that sweet spot between drive and compassion, between urgency and empathy, is the ultimate challenge.

Case in Point: Take Mutual of Omaha, which achieved an 86% retention rate by implementing employee feedback systems and clear career development paths. These practices helped align leadership with employee needs, fostering a culture of loyalty and growth.

Let’s be the kind of leaders who don’t just build things but who also build up the people around us. Because at the end of the day, what matters most? Not just what we create but the legacy of care, balance, and resilience we leave behind for those who helped make it happen.

Ready to build a culture of sustainable success? Leadership isn’t just about results—it’s about creating spaces where people can thrive. So I encourage you to reflect for a moment:

• Am I truly empowering my team to grow and recharge?
• Is our culture one that uplifts every individual’s potential and purpose?

If this resonates with you, share it with another leader committed to creating a balanced, thriving culture. Let’s start shaping workplaces where our people—and their passions—can genuinely flourish.

Have insights, experiences, or questions?

Let’s have a conversation. I’d love to hear how you’re building a culture of care and growth in your organization and explore ways we can drive meaningful change together.

Next Steps for Your Business

If you’re ready to stop guessing about your people and start optimizing their potential, take a moment and book a Free Discovery Call.

It’s the first step toward uncovering the hidden strengths in your organization and aligning your talent with your strategy.

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Warm regards,

Asia Johnson, M.S., BCBA LBA

Founder of Seizing 611 LLC | www.seizing611.com | [email protected]

CI Executive Advisor | www.cultureindex.com | [email protected]