Recently in a coaching session with a burnt-out CEO who’s ready to throw in the towel. He’s tired and burnt out and out of ideas.
The board still wants him around, but he’s got nothing left to give.
Interestingly, while on “hand over” mode, that’s when he started performing better. He starts looking for people who can do stuff better than him. He starts getting his team to do the stuff that he used to do himself. He starts to actually lead.
So I asked him 2 questions:
1) “What if you could continue being on this mode, and STAY?”
2) What if this mode, is the more effective CEO mode?
There are some common mindset “ailments” of CEOs, which are actually limiting beliefs:
“I need to be there for everyone.”
“I have to get these things solved otherwise I’m not a good leader.”
“My team is looking at me to figure this out.”
“I’ve got to be here even when I’m feeling like shit and pretend that I’m feeling great.”
What if, the above beliefs are causing not just your personal burn-out, but also setting signals for a culture of burnout for your team?
When a CEO “needs to be there for everyone”, you’re preventing your people from leaning in for one another.
When a CEO “has to get things solved”, you are preventing your teams from learning to solve.
When a CEO “needs to have everything figured out”, you are telling your team they can’t experiment or make mistakes.
When a CEO “has got to be there when when I’m sick or drained or frustrated”, you are showing your team they aren’t allowed to rest and recharge.
So rethink your role. Is your sense of duty empowering or debilitating your self and others?
What if being a CEO can be easy and energizing, instead of tiring and draining?
Here’s my pro tip for you:
You don’t have to be the smartest one.
Get humble and learn to ASK THE RIGHT QUESTIONS.
Asking the right questions will help your teams:
✅ get better at solving problems
✅ get creative
✅ get accountable
You too can lead with grace.
You too can do less and be more.
You too can build truly empowered teams.
Contact me if you’d like to unlock and free yourself from unhelpful leadership beliefs 😊
GET IN THE LIGHT!
