“Do More”, “Be better”,“Complete this now” have been consistent phrases of US working culture since the Industrial Revolution. These slogans still ring true today, as we see an increasing trend of leading on empty. With the hustle culture of working endless hours, it is often noticeable that leaders are pushing themselves to the point of exhaustion and burnout. Those in leadership often feel overwhelmed, disconnected, and unable to cope with the responsibilities that come with their role. This burnout can manifest in various ways, including decreased motivation, poor decision-making, and a lack of engagement. Leaders may often isolate themselves with the unique challenges they face:
High Expectations: Leaders often set ambitious goals for the future, which can create both excitement and pressure to meet objectives
Lack of Support: Someone may experience feelings of isolation through inadequate support from peers or lack of resources they are provided.
Work-Life Imbalance: It can be a struggle to find balance between their high performing professional life and their personal life.
Unclear Roles: Leaders often struggle with having ambiguous responsibilities that lack clarity or direction, which can cause frustration and confusion.
Leading on empty can be detrimental to both a leader and their team. Utilizing the ABC’s of self-care can be a helpful tool and used as initial stepping stones to prioritizing mental health:
Awareness: Paying attention to what your body is telling you & identifying early signs of burnout
Balance: Finding a healthy balance of work, family, social activities, and rest.
Connection: Surround yourself with mentors, peers, and team members who can offer support and encouragement
To prevent leadership burnout, you must take care of your mental health is the first step towards leading with passion, energy, and purpose. If you don’t have safe people in your life, seek those out! If you are not in therapy, maybe this is a great time to think about stepping into something new and beginning your healing journey to become a more healthy leader to your team.
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