Leadership shouldn’t feel like driving with one foot on the gas and the other on the brake. When uncertainty stacks up and decisions never stop, your nervous system stays on high alert and your best thinking goes offline. We unpack what burnout really is—biology, not a character flaw—and show how to reclaim clarity, energy, and courage without sacrificing results.

We start by breaking down what chronic stress does to the brain: the prefrontal cortex dims, the amygdala takes over, and judgment slips just when stakes are highest. From there, we get practical. Lois shares three proven strategies she uses with senior leaders across industries.

First, map your pressure zone and find the tipping point where productive pressure turns to harmful stress; then design your calendar around your nervous system with buffers after big meetings and protection for peak-focus windows.

Second, build strategic recovery into the day using micro reset rituals like two minutes of breathing, brief walks, and a 90-minute cadence to stand, stretch, and reset—habits that also set a healthy tone for your team.

Third, redefine what truly matters by selecting three core outcomes for the next six months, practicing brave no’s, and escaping the perfection trap so your effort concentrates where it counts.

You’ll hear a candid story of a respected executive who lost her spark and found it again by honoring her biology and choosing what matters. Expect clear language, zero fluff, and steps you can implement today to lead smarter, not harder.

If you’re ready to trade hustle for sustainable performance, this conversation gives you a simple, science-backed starting point.

If this resonated, subscribe, share with a leader who needs it, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then tell us: which single strategy will you start this week?

Leadership Horizons - Helping You Lead Beyond Boundaries