I see it every day when interviewing leaders for mission-driven C-suite positions—the executive who will not rest until the job is done. When interviewing, I focus on the full person. My primary goal during these conversations is to cover key leadership questions. My secondary goal is to learn the candidate’s take on life outside of leadership. What I’ve found is that many executives talk about unplugging as if it is a negative thing, rather than an opportunity to recharge!
Plainly put, executives who run a mile a minute, all the time, have family, staff, and stakeholders worried that they won’t be able to sustain themselves in the long run.
Thriving at full speed isn’t about constantly pushing yourself to the limit; it’s about recognizing when to refuel so that you can lead with clarity, endurance, and impact. Self-care is not a retreat from your responsibilities but a strategic move to ensure you stay at your best, both for your mission and your own well-being.
Here are 10 essential practices to help you maintain your momentum without sacrificing yourself in the process:
1. Perfection is Personal—Redefine it for Yourself. Striving for some external definition of perfection is a fruitless endeavor, one that often drains your energy and stifles creativity. Instead, define success on your own terms. Perfection, in its healthiest form, should reflect your values, mission, and the best balance between your life’s professional and personal dimensions. Embrace imperfection as a part of your growth journey. After all, we learn most from what doesn’t go according to plan.
2. “No” is a Full Sentence. Boundaries are essential for maintaining focus and mental clarity. Remember, saying no isn’t a rejection of opportunity but a preservation of your energy and mission. When you spread yourself too thin, you dilute your impact. Saying no gives you the capacity to say yes to the things that truly matter. Protect your purpose by wielding the word “no” confidently and unapologetically.
3. Delegation is a Leadership Requirement. Refusing to delegate not only stifles your growth but also hinders the development of your team. Leadership isn’t about doing it all—it’s about empowering others to take ownership. By delegating, you create space for strategic thinking and innovation, while also fostering a culture of trust and autonomy within your organization. Release the need for control, and you’ll find control in more meaningful areas.
4. Stress Doesn’t Equal Success—Avoid Burnout Triggers. We often equate high stress with high productivity, but that’s a myth. Pay attention to the factors that trigger stress and actively work to mitigate them. Whether it’s building buffers between meetings or opting for a quick email over a drawn-out meeting, protecting your peace is crucial. You cannot be a visionary leader when you’re constantly reacting to stress.
5. PTO is a Benefit for a Reason—Use It. Picture the school calendar coming home—every recital, assembly, and game listed. For many executives, those dates might as well be ghosts of events they’ll miss. Change the narrative. Hand that calendar to your assistant and block out time for the events that matter most. Your presence at work is important, but your presence with family is irreplaceable. You’re not just leading an organization; you’re leading a life.
6. Your Team Can—and Should—Solve Problems Without You. Great leaders develop great teams. Let them problem-solve without you. Not only will this lighten your load, but it will also provide valuable learning opportunities for your staff. Recognize their expertise, lean into their insights, and you may discover new ways of thinking that you hadn’t considered. This is leadership evolution in action.
7. Invest in a Coach—Growth Requires Guidance. Even the best leaders need external guidance. A coach isn’t just for when things are falling apart—it’s an investment in your continuous growth. Imagine the transformative power of a team led by a self-aware, emotionally intelligent, and rejuvenated leader. You owe it to your mission to seek out the support that helps you reach your fullest potential.
8. Celebrate Life’s Milestones with the Same Priority as a Board Meeting. Life doesn’t wait for perfect timing, and neither should you. Whether it’s a wedding, birthday, or reunion, these moments deserve to be non-negotiable. In the long run, they’re the memories that sustain us. Your mission is important, but you are the one who defines what a well-rounded life looks like. Prioritize your personal milestones with the same diligence you give to your professional ones.
9. Unplug to Recharge—Fully Disconnect. It's one thing to take a vacation; it’s another to take a real break. Out-of-office messages are there for a reason—use them. True rest requires disconnection. Trust your team to hold down the fort while you rejuvenate. When you return, you’ll not only feel refreshed, but you’ll also have given your team a chance to step up, reinforcing the value of your leadership choices.
10. Build a Succession Plan Now—Lead with Long-Term Vision. Succession planning is the highest form of leadership sustainability. When you plan for the future, you empower others to step into roles of greater responsibility and set your organization up for continued success—whether you’re there or not. Develop your team with intention, so when life calls for an extended break (or an unexpected lottery win), your organization continues to thrive.
Sacrificing yourself isn't a badge of honor—it’s a recipe for burnout. High-impact executives know that the real power move is leading from a place of health, not depletion. Relentless drive without rest may seem like the only path to success, but in reality, it leads to diminishing returns. Sustainable leadership demands that you balance ambition with self-care, creating room for both high performance and personal renewal.
When you prioritize your well-being, you unlock deeper clarity, creativity, and resilience. You show up as a leader with more to give, because you’ve taken the time to recharge. Your team, your mission, and your personal life all benefit when you’re operating at your best—not from exhaustion, but from a place of strength.
By making self-care a priority, you ensure that your success is not a fleeting moment but a sustainable journey. When you take care of yourself, you’re not just investing in your career—you’re investing in a life that allows you to thrive both in your mission and in the moments that matter most.