In the demanding landscape of modern leadership, women leaders are particularly susceptible to burnout. In the recent episode of Project Joyful, the podcast for Health-Centered Leaders, Tracy Tutty and communication expert Angelique Benet offered indispensable insights into mitigating the risk of burnout and fostering a balanced, energised approach to leadership.
The fundamental issue
One fundamental issue that often leads to burnout is the ingrained belief that women must bear the weight of responsibility in all spheres of life.
This culturally ingrained mindset is frequently carried into the professional world, causing women leaders to experience increased stress and eventual exhaustion.
It is said that forty-three percent of women leaders are experiencing burnout, and it’s more than men.
top mistakes leading to burnout
The key thing is that as women, we are trained from an early age to take responsibility for everything and everyone. We often learn that in order for me to be okay, everyone around me has to be okay. We take that through our childhood, we take it into our families, and we also take it into the workplace. The other thing is self-worth.
So there’s also this element of self worth and feeling worth it, which makes us want to work harder, do more to prove that we are worth having in the space.
This is crazy because the reason why you’re in the space you’re in is that your team needs you. Aligning one’s personal goals with professional ambitions and ensuring that the proverbial corporate ladder is leaned against the right wall is crucial for sustained success and satisfaction.
active recovery
The primary recommendation is the practice of “active recovery”—a concept that involves taking intentional breaks to refresh the mind and body. Contrary to what might seem productive, these breaks facilitate the subconscious processing of challenges, thus enhancing problem-solving and creative capacities.
Walking through a park provides not only physical health benefits but also mental clarity and stress relief.
A simple yet effective method is immersing oneself in nature. If you’re dealing with a problem and you’re in there trying to solve it, instead, take a breath. Go for a walk. Don’t turn on the laptop on a Sunday. Your mind’s still working through it even though you are not in that space anymore.
Taking a breath
Integrating deep-breathing exercises, like the ‘box breath’, into daily routines is essential. This technique, successfully utilised by Navy Seals to maintain composure in high-pressure situations, helps regulate the nervous system.
By mastering this practice, women leaders can cultivate a calm, composed presence that positively influences their teams and the outcomes of their initiatives
To delve deeper into these transformative strategies, Tracy Tutty extends an invitation to her upcoming webinar, “Feel Better, Lead Better”. This session promises to provide participants with actionable steps to boost leadership energy and effectiveness, fostering a working environment where women leaders not only survive but also thrive. Embracing these practices could be the key to long-term success and well-being in your leadership journey.