Leadership burnout: 5 Ways to avoid it

With the constant demands of high-level, strategic decision-making and the need to navigate through ever more complex challenges, in markets that shift and change almost daily, leaders will often find themselves operating right at the edge of their capabilities.

Burnout is the very real, and in some cases, truly debilitating result of unrelenting personal and external pressure. It’s an insidious issue that can creep up slowly, presenting itself as both physical and emotional exhaustion, and eventually leading to a significant, if not total decline in performance and well-being. It’s an issue that is so serious and has become so commonplace, that the World Health Organisation recently recognised burnout as an occupational phenomenon.

According to a study by Deloitte, 77% of leaders have experienced burnout at their current job, with 91% reporting that having an unmanageable amount of stress or frustration negatively impacts the quality of their work. The stakes are high, not only for the leaders themselves but also for the organisations they steer.

Understanding the signs of leadership burnout and putting in place proactive measures to prevent it, is an essential practice for leaders today.

Understanding leadership burnout

The relentless pressure to perform, coupled with high expectations and the enormous responsibility of guiding an organisation or a team, will inevitably lead to stress. In manageable doses, stress can be a powerful motivator, activating areas of the brain that drive us to perform to our highest ability. Over the long term though, persistent stress erodes physical and mental health, completely undercutting a leader’s ability to think clearly, make sound decisions, and ultimately inspire and lead their teams.

The resultant burnout is more than just feeling tired. It’s a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion, often accompanied by all of the typical symptoms of depression and anxiety - a sense of cynicism and ineffectiveness, poor motivation and diminished self-confidence.

Causes of leadership burnout

High-stakes decision making: As a leader, the decisions you make will often have far-reaching consequences and the weight of that knowledge can be mentally and emotionally draining, especially as the stakes get higher.
Constant change and uncertainty: The business landscape today, and indeed the world, is characterised by rapid, near constant change and the unexpected challenges that come with this can be impossible to predict. The process of adapting and guiding teams and organisations through these shifts is both mentally and physically exhausting.
Isolation: Despite being surrounded by people, leaders will often find themselves feeling isolated in their role. The burden of making tough decisions and the need to project a strong and stable self-image whilst struggling internally, creates a disconnect that can all too quickly breed a deep sense of loneliness.

Strategies to prevent burnout

Understanding the symptoms and the causes is the first step. The second is to prevent burnout from taking hold by taking a proactive approach by putting both organisational and personal strategies in place. Recognising the early warning signs and intervening before burnout becomes severe is absolutely crucial. This means not just addressing the immediate stressors but also creating an environment that supports long-term well-being.

Proactive prevention involves setting realistic expectations, promoting a healthy work-life balance, and ensuring that all members of your organisation, not just your leaders, have access to the resources and support they need. At its heart, this also requires a cultural shift to take place within organisations - placing as much value on mental health and well-being as they do on performance and productivity. The knock-on effect of this is obvious: when leaders take the deliberate steps needed to care for themselves and their teams, a more resilient and productive workforce emerges as a result.

Cultivating a supportive organisational culture

Encourage open communication: Create an environment where everyone feels comfortable discussing their challenges and seeking support. Encourage conversations and build a culture with a foundation of transparency and mutual respect at its core.
A healthy work-life balance: Actively promote a healthy work-life balance by introducing flexible working hours, encouraging regular breaks, and providing resources for stress management.
Provide professional development: Continuous learning and development opportunities focused on managing work-place stress will equip leaders and their teams to handle their responsibilities more effectively. Offer training in stress and time management management as well as leadership and negotiation skills.

Personal strategies for leaders

Set boundaries: Learn to set clear boundaries to protect your personal time. Delegate tasks to capable team members to reduce your workload and avoid micromanaging. Say no when necessary and prioritise tasks to keep your energy and resources focused on the most critical areas. This practice not only helps in managing your time better but also empowers your team by giving them opportunities to take on more responsibility and grow.
Mindfulness and self-care: Regular exercise, mindfulness practices, and passions outside of work are scientifically documented to improve mental and physical health. Mindfulness techniques like meditation, deep-breathing exercises, and yoga will improve focus and reduce stress. Incorporate self-care routines into your daily schedule, take regular short breaks, get enough sleep, and make time for the activities you enjoy.
Get support: Building a network of trusted colleagues, mentors, and coaches can provide valuable support and guidance. Engage in regular discussions with trusted advisors who can offer emotional support, validation of your experiences, and practical advice on handling stress and making informed decisions.
Prioritise physical health: Maintaining your physical health is a no-brainer. Physical activity not only boosts your energy levels but also helps in clearing your mind and improving your mood. Regular health check-ups will also ensure that you’re in good health and catch any potential issues early.
Develop emotional intelligence: Emotional intelligence (EQ) is the ability to recognise, understand, and manage your own emotions, as well as the emotions of others. A high EQ will enable you to manage your stress better, communicate more effectively, and build stronger relationships with your team. Improving your self-awareness, practising empathy, and enhancing your interpersonal skills will equip you to handle the emotional challenges of leadership more effectively.

Building these personal strategies into your daily routine and taking a holistic approach will not only help in preventing burnout over time, but will also enormously enhance your ability to lead with resilience, clarity, and purpose.By understanding the causes and impacts of burnout, and implementing effective strategies to prevent it, leaders can maintain their effectiveness and develop a positive organisational culture. On a personal level, these strategies are not just about avoiding burnout but also, and perhaps more importantly they’re about creating a sustainable approach to leadership that enables peak performance.

The key is to balance the demands of leadership with self-care and support, ensuring that leaders are not only able to survive but thrive in their roles. By addressing burnout head-on, organisations can cultivate resilient leaders who inspire their teams, drive innovation, and sustain long-term success.

At Acumen we are dedicated to equipping leaders with practical tools to tackle real-life challenges. Our comprehensive range of training and development programs, including customised interventions and off-the-shelf courses, helps organisations foster a culture of respect and empower their employees. To learn more about our programs and how they can benefit your organisation, please contact Simon at simon@askacumen.com