The Hidden Cost of ‘Always On’: How CEO Burnout Harms Mental Health and Leadership

Erica Kesse

The “always-on” culture glorifies constant availability, but for CEOs, it’s a recipe for burnout. This mindset creates mental health challenges that ripple across organizations, undermining leadership and performance. This post uncovers the hidden costs of being always on and offers solutions to protect CEO mental health.


The High Cost of ‘Always On’ 


The World Health Organization estimates burnout costs the global economy $1 trillion annually in lost productivity. For CEOs, the stakes are higher: a 2024 Mind Share Partners study found that 60% of executives reported mental health struggles due to unrelenting work demands. This leads to poor decision-making, reduced creativity, and disengaged teams, as burned-out leaders struggle to inspire.


The Ripple Effect on Teams


When CEOs neglect boundaries, teams follow suit. A 2023 Gallup study showed that high-stress leadership correlates with 40% higher employee turnover. This not only disrupts operations but also increases recruitment costs, averaging $4,700 per hire (SHRM, 2024).


Strategies to Break the ‘Always On’ Cycle

 

  1. Time-Block Your Day: Reserve uninterrupted time for strategic thinking and personal well-being. 
  2. Set Communication Expectations: Inform your team when you’re unavailable, normalizing downtime. 
  3. Prioritize Self-Care: Incorporate exercise or mindfulness into your routine. A 2022 Journal of Occupational Health study found that 20 minutes of daily mindfulness reduced executive stress by 30%. 
  4. Seek Support: Engage a coach or therapist to navigate mental health challenges confidentially.



The “always-on” mindset undermines CEO mental health and leadership effectiveness. By prioritizing boundaries and self-care, you protect your well-being and set a powerful example for your team. Take one step today—like scheduling a no-meeting day—to reclaim balance.

Why Your Business Feels Like a Burden (And How to Fix the Invisible Brake)

By Erica Kesse • February 6, 2026
You didn’t start your business to become a mechanic. You started it to be a visionary. Yet, lately, you find yourself exhausted, second-guessing your intuition, and feeling like the entire weight of the company is resting on your shoulders.  In my work with leaders, I call this "Strategic Floundering." It’s that heavy, tight feeling in your chest when you realize that despite the long hours, the view from the summit isn't getting any closer. Here is the truth most consultants miss: You don’t have a productivity problem. You have a configuration problem. To reach your Vision (The Horizon), you need a high-performance Mission (The Vehicle). Your Vision is the emotional "Why." Your Mission is the operational "How." If the vehicle is broken—missing tires, no fuel, or a seized engine—it doesn't matter how hard you stare at the horizon. You aren't going anywhere. When your Mission is vague, you pay the "Ambiguity Tax." This isn't a line item on your P&L, but it is your most expensive cost. The First-Order Effect: You jump in to fix every small problem. The Second-Order Effect: Y our best people stop thinking for themselves because they know you’ll take over. You accidentally turn "A-Players" into "order-takers." This creates a Ghost Engine where your personal health and sleep are the only things keeping the company moving. This isn't a business; it's a cage. Real leadership isn't just a head game. To stop pushing the car and start driving it, you must achieve Vertical Integration: The Head (Mind): Does the Mission make logical sense? Does every service have its own tires (budget and staff)? The Heart: Does this work still feed your soul, or have you abandoned your values for growth? The Gut: Do you t rust your own intuition, or are you ignoring the "check engine" light in your stomach? When these three are aligned, the friction disappears. You move from being a worker in your business to being the Commander of your legacy. You can keep pushing the car until you burn out, or you can pull over and fix the engine.
Imafage of a black woman meditating

The Silent Saboteur: Why Your Spreadsheet is Lying to You

By Erica Kesse • January 26, 2026
Why do successful CEOs still feel like they are floundering? Discover how the conflict between your gut and spreadsheet impacts your leadership and mental health

Wellbeing at Work: Why Purpose (Mission) is the Ultimate Buffer Against Burnout

By Erica Kesse • January 23, 2026
Why can a CEO work 80 hours a week on a passion project and feel energized, but 40 hours on a meaningless task feels draining? The answer lies in Purpose . Research shows that connecting work to a higher Mission is one of the strongest buffers against burnout. If you are worried about the mental health of your leadership team, look at your Mission statement first. The "Why" Matters More Than the "What" "Quiet quitting" and executive burnout often stem from a sense of futility. Weak Mission: "We want to increase Q3 profits." (High stress, low fulfillment). Strong Mission: "We exist to save our home planet." (Patagonia). (High effort, high fulfillment).  Leadership Resilience For a CEO, the Mission is the fuel tank. When times get tough, profit goals won't keep you warm. Only a deep belief in why you exist can sustain your wellbeing through a crisis.
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