Leadership and Burnout

People sometimes ask me whether it’s possible to avoid burnout as a leader. The answer I carry with me is: I don’t know. And maybe not.

The silent arrival

Burnout doesn’t arrive with fireworks. It sneaks in quietly — through sleepless nights, through the constant feeling that nothing is ever finished, or that everything depends on you.

Leadership is demanding because it’s not just about results — it’s also about people. You watch over deadlines, strategies, and processes, while also making sure your team feels safe and supported. And the mind and body often translate that into one heavy message: you’re responsible for everything.

What helps me

I’ve learned that the hardest thing is admitting: I don’t have to carry this alone.

Here are a few things that help me:

• being open with my team when I’m tired (leaders are human, too),
• sharing responsibility and trusting others to handle it,
• making time just for myself and my own tasks,
• stepping away from the team so they have space to try things before coming to me,
• and allowing myself to fully switch off from time to time.

And one more thing: overthinking rarely stops on its own, but moving the body helps calm the mind. For me, that means a one-hour walk home after work, letting my thoughts settle with each step.

Talking about it matters

Maybe burnout can’t be completely erased from leadership. But we can talk about it. And for me, sharing — with my team, with friends, or even with a journal — is the first step to facing it.

So I’ll leave you with a question: What’s your way of noticing the early signs of burnout — and what helps you take back the balance?