By: Maria Williams

It’s lonely at the top is more than a banality; it’s a reality that most leaders, senior executives, and CEOs experience. That reality, defined by lasting physical and emotional exhaustion, withering out-of-work relationships, and a lingering sense of isolation, goes by the term of leadership burnout. Caused by a skewed balance between professional and personal lives, it affects more high-level employees than could be expected.

WifiTalent statistics paint a clear picture of the current corporate landscape—35% of senior leaders reported high levels of exhaustion, while a staggering 96% admitted to experiencing moderate to extreme levels of burnout. While the crippling effects of inadequate work-life harmony are evident, over half of leaders (59%) said they lack the necessary support to manage stress effectively. 

The results? Between 25 and 50% of CEOs leave their jobs within three years, leading to 77% of organizations facing leadership gaps. Stress ranks second among the most frequently reported work-related health problems, affecting not only the well-being of leaders and employees but also companies’ finances, with annual costs incurred by burnout estimated at $125 to $190 billion.

The global impact of the pandemic illuminated the issue, amplifying burnout to a level that can’t be ignored anymore, according to 76% of HR professionals. Moreover, now it is clear that a startling 83% of leaders (according to employees) need support to create an emotionally thriving workplace. Through this rise in awareness – combined with research showcasing that burnout is linked to chronic illness, including heart disease and diabetes – 73% of companies have added mental health benefits to their strategies. 

On a mission to enrich the corporate realm with people-centrism and a culture of self-care, Caroline Allard Doucet founded Culture Humana by Motif Exotikos, a unique organization dedicated to leaving an eternal impact on businesses by merging innovation and human values. At the helm of Motif Exotikos since 2012, Caroline witnessed the draining effect of work overburden on leaders’ mental and physical health firsthand.

“Leadership is so much more than bossing people around. It comes with mountains of stress, responsibilities, and worries. CEOs and executives often sacrifice their personal lives, from neglecting family and friends to forgetting about their own happiness. It’s time for leaders to lead more balanced lives,” Caroline stresses. 

This business dynamic expert identified the lack of platforms for leaders to express feelings as a prominent contributor to the leadership burnout epidemic. Often, this apprehension is two-fold; while leaders believe it is their task to assist and guide others, employees tend to see C-suite executives as unapproachable. “It’s easy to say: “I need to be strong; I can’t complain.” If leaders don’t open up, they become isolated without even realizing what that solitude is doing,” she adds.

To uplift leaders, Culture Humana provides targeted, personalized services, from coaching to group workshops and one-on-one sessions, all aimed at helping executives deal with the complex seas of organizational directorship. For Caroline and her team, it’s not only about results-driven stress management; it’s about reshaping one’s vision of the world by centering life around human values.

While Culture Humana guides clients through the process, Caroline emphasizes that real change starts from within. Her team ignites leaders to embark on the path toward self-examination, sparking essential questions, such as: ‘What is it that I truly need?’ ‘Are my sacrifices worth it?’ or “How can I increase my happiness?” 

For Caroline, the key to answering these questions lies in identifying one’s needs, or what she calls ‘the level of content.’ She adds, “Many people have not stopped to look at what their actual needs are. Once we reach these needs, we should feel content. But because we’re human beings, we always want more, chasing the next big thing. Now, we want it bigger, and we want it better, but in 50 years, we will still feel like something is missing. If we keep wanting more, life will never feel complete.”

Veiled under the terms of ‘ambition’ or ‘career hunger’ is the lack of work-life balance. Caroline’s philosophy revolves around a slower, more conscious, and intentional life that prioritizes personal well-being while nurturing professional responsibilities. This holistic approach is the winning recipe that holds the potential to combat the growing rates of leadership burnout. 

“It doesn’t have to be one or the other. Ambitious leaders can have a fulfilling family and social lives, and people-centric individuals can be leaders. Self-care, if executed properly, is a powerful tool for self-development, inspiring motivation, creativity, and innovation,” reflects Caroline. “It is ludicrous to think that business doesn’t matter. But it’s so easy to get lost in the vortex of assignments, meetings, and quick coffee sips in between calls. Life is supposed to be mindful and centered around sheer happiness, and leadership is about more than workplace success; it’s about building a legacy and creating a lasting impact. For that, a global mindset shift is needed. Money isn’t everything; it’s the people behind businesses who matter the most.

Published By: Aize Perez