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Even the most experienced CEOs can suffer from burnout when trying to navigate the many pressures that come with leadership. There are many factors that can lead to CEO burnout. For example, CEOs often feel like the success of their company — and the livelihoods of their employees — rests on their shoulders. They’re constantly faced with decisions that require their attention. The isolation at the top exacerbates the mental fatigue, as CEOs have no colleagues they can trust.
Struggling to balance your personal and professional life can put relationships and happiness at risk, and ongoing economic forces outside of your control — soaring inflation, geopolitical tensions, shifting workplace dynamics, and emerging technologies — drain business leaders.
When leaders experience burnout, common patterns emerge: they react instead of think, lose sight of strategy, and are unable to delegate effectively. CEOs become unpredictable, hypervigilant, unclear in their instructions, and even disinterested. While stress may be regular, burnout manifests as unfocused, undisciplined work and a lack of joy.
To effectively combat burnout, great leaders implement six preventative strategies:
Related: 4 Ways to Address Burnout Before It Begins
1. Maintain good habits
Effective leaders avoid overcrowding their schedules. Avoiding back-to-back meetings and prioritizing planning time allows leaders to give each decision the proper attention. Maintain discipline Regular exercise and adequate sleep are fundamental to staying healthy, and CEOs who set boundaries to maintain good habits will keep themselves and their companies performing at their best.
2. Seek peer support
Engaging with peer advisory groups and mentors gives CEOs a confidential forum to discuss challenges and receive support from people who share similar leadership struggles. Peer advisory groups provide an objective perspective from a leader who has no stake in the business outcome. They also hold colleagues accountable for effective decision-making in a way that most other CEOs cannot. Colleagues can gain insight from listening to a CEO who has experienced the same challenges. Peer advisory groups also allow leaders to be a resource for others and offer wisdom gained from experience.
3. Take time for strategic thinking
Even the world’s greatest leaders make time for work. upon Regularly scheduling uninterrupted time for strategic planning and reflection is essential for business success. It allows CEOs to step away from the day-to-day operations to evaluate priorities and set clear, achievable goals. Making time for strategic initiatives and long-term planning allows leaders to focus on organizational growth and sustainability, not just addressing immediate business demands.
Related: 7 Proven Ways to Beat Burnout
4. Choose direct communication
Many CEOs are reluctant to force their teams to face harsh realities. If you notice that the CEO is exhausted, it’s time to quickly delegate the big challenges facing the company to the executive team. This will raise the team’s thinking to a more strategic level about the mission and vision. CEOs who start to feel like they have to know all the answers will find it beneficial to ask their team more questions so that everyone can uncover the truth and find solutions together.
Direct communication also means replacing excessive email correspondence with direct conversations, either in person or virtually. Clear communication reduces ambiguity, fosters collaboration, and strengthens relationships. The most successful CEOs prioritize open dialogue to build trust and alignment among their teams, increasing productivity and morale.
5. Address important decisions promptly
Burnout often occurs due to issues that have gone unaddressed for a long period of time. Time goes by without important decisions, often involving people, which can increase stress and hinder progress. Addressing these decisions head-on promotes clarity, efficiency, and a healthier work environment.
6. Focus on others
Under high stress, CEOs can slip into martyr mode and feel as though they are a victim of the situation. Great CEOs focus and take action on what they can control. Another surefire antidote to focusing too much on the self is to embrace gratitude and find ways to help others. People truly begin to discover who they are when they help someone in distress. Cultivating meaningful connections and giving back, whether that’s volunteering for a cause you care about, joining a faith community, or simply spending time with friends and family, can quickly shift a leader’s mindset. Maintaining meaningful connections with colleagues, family and communities helps top CEOs develop a balanced perspective.
Related: 5 Warning Signs of Burnout (And What to Do About It)
By incorporating these strategies into a consistent routine and adopting a proactive approach, effective CEOs manage leadership stress resiliently. They are able to prevent burnout. Maintaining healthy habits, nurturing meaningful relationships with colleagues, and staying focused on the mission, vision, and strategy not only prevents burnout, but also fosters a positive company culture. Leaders’ focus on evidence-based decision-making sets the precedent for a thriving workplace.