Leading When You’re Burnt Out: A Real Talk

Let’s get honest—burnout happens. And when you’re the leader, the fallout can be quieter but far more dangerous. You’re expected to show up with clarity, confidence, and composure. But what happens when you’re running on fumes?

This isn’t a motivational speech. It’s a reality check for leaders who are quietly exhausted but still showing up every day. Whether you're managing a small team, running a department, or leading an entire organization, burnout doesn't mean you're failing—it means you're overdue for a reset.

1. Burnout Starts Silent—Call It Out Early

It doesn’t always hit like a crash. Often, it creeps in as:

• Mental fog that lingers longer than it should

• Apathy toward tasks you used to enjoy

• Increasing irritation at small problems

• A constant, low-grade fatigue

The first leadership move? Acknowledge it. Not just to yourself—but also to someone who can help you process it (a coach, therapist, or trusted peer). Suppressing it only leads to compounding pressure and poor decision-making. You can’t lead well if you won’t lead yourself first.

2. Focus on Energy, Not Time

Time management is important. But energy management is essential when you’re burnt out. Ask:

• Which parts of the day do I feel most alert?

• What drains me the fastest?

• What could I delegate for now without loss of momentum?

Start shifting your schedule to match your capacity. Use high-energy windows for high-priority decisions and protect them like gold. In low-energy windows, stack easy wins—like approvals, check-ins, or admin tasks. Small moves here prevent bigger breakdowns later.

3. Reset the Tempo Without Losing the Trust

Your team is watching. Not to judge, but to understand how to navigate their own moments of stress. This is where vulnerability meets leadership.

You don’t need to make a burnout announcement. But letting your team know you’re adjusting your bandwidth can signal strength, not weakness.

Try saying:

“I’m recalibrating how I approach the next few weeks. Let’s all be mindful of how we’re managing energy—mine included.”

It sends a clear message: This is a workplace where humans—not machines—lead and succeed.

4. Prioritize What Only You Can Do

Burnout forces clarity. You can’t do everything—so stop trying. Here’s a quick test:

• If I stepped away today, what would come to a halt?

• What could others continue—maybe even better?

Now, divide your workload into three buckets:

• Own it: Strategic tasks only you can drive

• Delegate it: Operational or tactical tasks your team can handle

• Delete it: Anything that doesn’t align with urgent outcomes or strategic value

Don’t aim for busy—aim for meaningful.

5. Build Micro-Recoveries into Your Day

A full vacation may be months away, but burnout doesn’t wait. You need immediate recovery tactics you can actually use:

• 10-minute walks between meetings

• Turning off alerts for 30 minutes of focused work

• Silent, solo lunches away from the desk

• Listening to something uplifting instead of doomscrolling

These micro-breaks don’t fix everything—but they help stabilize the fall.

6. Lean Into Delegation Without Guilt

If your first thought is, “They already have enough to do,” you’re probably right—but that doesn’t mean they can’t handle more if they’re empowered. The key isn’t dumping tasks—it’s developing trust and ownership.

Frame it like this:

“I’m trusting you to take this and run with it. You don’t need to do it the way I would—just get to the result.”

Delegation done right doesn’t just lighten your load. It elevates your team.

7. Don’t Mistake Performance for Wellness

Burnout can mask itself as high performance—until it doesn’t. Many high-achieving leaders operate on overdrive, confusing momentum with health. But if your work comes at the cost of your well-being, your leadership clock is ticking.

True leadership includes modeling sustainability. What message do you send when you ignore your own limits?

8. Reflect and Rebuild, Don’t Just Resume

When you finally start to feel like yourself again, resist the urge to jump right back into overdrive. Take the time to ask:

• What boundaries do I need to keep?

• What tasks should stay off my plate?

• What values do I want to lead with going forward?

Burnout is painful, but it’s also informative. Use it as a compass, not just a crisis. Let it shape a healthier leadership approach—not a temporary pause.

Final Thoughts: You’re Still the Leader—Just Human

Leadership during burnout is messy. But it’s also a chance to lead with empathy, clarity, and intention. The most respected leaders aren’t the ones who never struggle. They’re the ones who navigate struggle honestly—and bring others through it stronger.

Burnout doesn’t mean you’re broken. It means it’s time to regroup.

And when you do—you’ll lead better, not just harder.