Strong leadership often comes with an unspoken expectation to push harder, sacrifice more, and put yourself last. In this article, The Leadership Paradox, Dr. Sharon Grossman challenges that mindset and explores why prioritizing your own well-being isn’t a weakness — it’s a strategic advantage that makes you a more effective, resilient executive. We strive to provide leaders with valuable education and resources and hope this article pushes your thinking.
Title: The Leadership Paradox: Why Taking Care of Yourself Makes You a Stronger Executive
By: The Executive Edge, Dr. Sharon Grossman, October 2025
Burnout Isn’t a Badge of Honor—It’s a Leadership Liability
Many executives wear exhaustion like a badge of honor, believing that sacrificing themselves for the job proves their commitment. But here’s the truth: Burned-out leaders make worse decisions, have less influence, and drive higher turnover.
A high-level executive once told me, “I used to think pushing through exhaustion made me stronger. Then I realized I was running on fumes, making reactive decisions, and losing the respect of my team.”
The best leaders understand this paradox: The more you take care of yourself, the more effective you are.
Your Energy Is Your Greatest Leadership Asset
Strong leadership requires clear thinking, emotional control, and resilience—all of which disappear when you’re running on empty.
Here’s what high-performing executives know:
✔ Exhaustion leads to poor decision-making. Fatigue creates reactive, short-term thinking.
✔ Your team follows your energy. If you’re drained and disengaged, they will be too.
✔ Sustainable success requires sustainable habits. High performance isn’t about working harder—it’s about working smarter.
If you want to be a high-impact leader, protecting your energy isn’t selfish—it’s strategic.
3 Self-Care Habits That Strengthen Leadership
✅ 1. Schedule Recovery Like a High-Performer
- The best athletes don’t just train hard—they recover hard. Treat rest as non-negotiable in your leadership schedule.
- Block out thinking time, movement, and real breaks—not just “free time” that gets filled with more meetings.
✅ 2. Protect Your Decision-Making Energy
- Decision fatigue is real. The more drained you are, the worse your choices become.
- Simplify small decisions (like routines and daily structure) so you have energy for the ones that really matter.
✅ 3. Set the Standard for Work-Life Balance
- If you’re always “on,” your team will feel pressured to do the same. Show them what sustainable success looks like.
- Implement boundaries—no late-night emails, no glorifying overwork, and no rewarding burnout.
Are You Leading Like Someone Who Lasts?
Take an honest look at your energy levels, stress, and decision-making clarity.
What’s one self-care habit you can implement this week to improve your leadership?
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