Hey Leader!
There’s a lie senior leaders (especially women) have been told:
The harder you work, the better a leader you are.
Ok, few people actually say those exact words, but their behavior does (always responding, causing fire drills, rewarding those who work on PTO, etc.)!
But here’s what the research actually says (shoutout to this HBR article):
Leaders who unplug after hours come back more creative, decisive, & effective
Unplugging from work makes leaders more effective, not less
Teams perform better when unplugging is modeled from the top
Burnout isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s a system failure
What the article didn’t say, but I will?
Your life isn’t a distraction from your leadership. It’s a strategic asset.
Your energy, clarity, and presence outside of work directly fuel your ability to lead inside it.
You weren’t made to be always-on. You were made to lead & live.
→ Hit reply and tell me: What’s one way you could treat your life as a strategic asset this week?
Lead boldly, live fully, & don’t forget to breathe.
In your corner,
Try This Today
Audit Your After-Hours:
What’s still on your mind at 7 pm? List it. Then ask: Does this actually need me tonight, or is this just a thinking habit?Anchor a Shutdown Ritual:
Choose a 5-minute shutdown ritual to signal the end of your workday. You don’t need a full hour, just a line in the sand & a process to follow.Share the “Why” with Your Team:
Let them in on the shift. “I’m protecting my off-hours so I can lead better in-hours.” You’re not disappearing, you’re modeling sustainable success.
Your Power Move
Stop waiting for things to “slow down.” They won’t.
Your next level of leadership (& life) won’t come from another productivity hack or waiting for the perfect time.
It’ll come from learning how to lead differently, in a way that fuels your career and your life.
That’s exactly what I’m teaching in Tuesday’s (8/26) free masterclass for women directors & VPs: How to Be a High-Performing Senior Leader Without Burning Out Your Real Life.
You don’t need to choose between impact and a life, you deserve both.
Behind The Scenes
A peek inside what I’m building — at work & in life!
Work in Progress
Life in Progress
Cheers to a busy week!
Masterclass preparations are well underway. A 4th Founding Member (a Director from Microsoft) just signed on for The Elevate Lab, and Pau (my EA) and I are prepping to launch the Founding Member cohort of this coaching accelerator for women Directors & VPs on 9/4!
I’m hiding in the woods this weekend!
(aka campaign). I love being out in nature with no tech, enjoying way too many s’mores.
I’m probably paddleboarding as you read this, or curled up in a hammock with a book!
Thought For The Week
In Case You Missed It
63% of employees would accept a pay cut for more remote flexibility, and this sentiment is stronger among high performers.
I sidelined my health for years until signing up for an endurance race gave me the permission I thought I needed. This one decision reshaped how I lead and live.
The 9-to-5 doesn’t guarantee stability anymore, and protecting your time isn’t a luxury. These 9 shifts are how senior women lead without burning out.