Maintaining Your Mojo: How to Avoid the Serial Success Executive’s Trap

Executive burnout has been a pressing issue in recent years, affecting a considerable portion of the C-suite population. A 2023 survey found that 60% of U.S. CEOs worry about job security amid economic pressures. Among healthcare executives, 51% admit that burnout could push them to leave their positions, the American Hospital Association reports.

The stress of leading through uncertain times, when many companies must do more with less, has led to increased departures from top leadership positions. In 2023, nearly 1,500 CEOs stepped down, with burnout being a significant factor​.

This problem spans various sectors, with leaders in healthcare, technology, finance, and beyond reporting high levels of stress due to the unrelenting pace and demands of their roles.

Prominent figures like Arianna Huffington, co-founder of The Huffington Post, have shared their struggles with burnout, emphasizing the importance of focusing on well-being and balance. Her shift to founding Thrive Global reflects how even highly successful leaders must reassess their approach to work and self-care to avoid collapse​.

Stuck in the Past: The Challenge of Adaptation and the Peter Principle

For many executives, past success becomes both a badge of honor and a burden. Leaders who have built their reputation on proven strategies may resist adapting to new approaches, striving to replicate earlier successes even as the business environment shifts. This reluctance can create a vicious cycle where leaders apply outdated methods to new challenges, leading to frustration, diminishing results, and further stress​.

This tendency is closely related to the Peter principle, which suggests that individuals, including executives, often rise to their “level of incompetence.” Promotions are frequently based on past performance rather than future potential, putting leaders in roles with new responsibilities for which they may lack the necessary skills. This mismatch can result in the use of outdated strategies and resistance to change, ratcheting up the risk of burnout​.

How Boyden Can Help: A Holistic Approach to Leadership Consulting

Boyden’s leadership consulting services play a critical role in helping executives break free from these cycles and regain their effectiveness. Through assessment and profiling, executive coaching, leadership development programs, and succession planning, we provide targeted support to address the challenges that leaders face today.

• Assessment & Profiling: Using data-driven methodologies, we offer a comprehensive analysis of leadership potential, helping executives understand their strengths and areas for improvement. This helps identify gaps that might be contributing to stress or ineffective performance. By aligning leaders’ competencies with organizational needs, Boyden ensures that the right skills are applied to the right roles, reducing the risk of the Peter principle​.
• Leadership Coaching & Development: Our personalized coaching sessions focus on enhancing adaptability, self-awareness, and resilience. Coaches work closely with executives to develop new leadership skills, address specific challenges, and align personal and organizational goals. This approach is crucial for leaders who may struggle with adapting their styles or methods to a changing environment, uncovering new ways for them to succeed and maintain their mojo​.
• Succession Planning: Effective succession planning is essential not only for leadership continuity but also for alleviating pressure on current leaders. We help organizations build a pipeline of future-ready leaders through targeted development programs. This approach ensures that promotions are based on future potential, helping to prevent the pitfalls of the Peter principle and enabling smoother transitions when key executives move on​.

By integrating these services, we support leaders through all stages of their careers, enabling them to adapt, recharge, and thrive in today’s dynamic business environment. This combination of strategic assessment, targeted development, and thoughtful succession planning ensures that leaders can sustain high performance without sacrificing their well-being.

Breaking Free: Strategies for Regaining Mojo

Beyond consulting support, leaders themselves can adopt several strategies to prevent burnout: