If you’ve ever wondered why your team feels stuck despite adding more playbooks or headcount, this episode covers how leader burnout creates revenue bottlenecks. You’ll learn how to spot the hidden costs of burnout, reset your leadership habits for peak performance, and avoid turning into the bottleneck holding your team back.
Burnout isn’t just about stress or exhaustion—it’s when a leader’s energy system is running on empty. Sarah Shepard (COO of StringCan Interactive) sat down with Jane Cebrynski, Chief Wellbeing Officer and certified sports life coach, to unpack why burned-out leaders unintentionally spread misalignment through their teams.
When leaders push through without recovery:
The result? Revenue slows down because the leader becomes the bottleneck.
Jane compares executives to elite athletes. Athletes don’t just grind—they train, recover, and regulate their nervous systems to sustain performance. Leaders need the same mindset: rituals, breathwork, and rest as non-negotiable parts of the playbook.
Sarah shared her own experience of burnout during a personal loss, and how investing in coaching helped her rebuild clarity. Leaders who pause, reset, and practice resilience not only avoid collapse—they model healthy culture for their teams.
The ripple effect of one exhausted leader can be staggering. Jane noted that studies have shown personal crises (like divorce) can cost companies more than the employee’s annual salary in lost productivity. The same applies to executives: when the leader is off balance, the entire system wobbles.
Instead of hoarding the “ball,” leaders must:
This shift keeps leaders from becoming the choke point in revenue operations.
Q: What’s a burnout bottleneck?
A: It’s when a leader’s exhaustion slows down decision-making, delegation, and team execution—creating friction in the revenue engine.
Q: How do I know if I’m the bottleneck?
A: If you find yourself saying “I have to do it myself” or notice your team waiting on you for progress, you’re likely creating hidden pipeline delays.
Q: Why compare leaders to athletes?
A: Because both need training, rituals, and recovery to perform at their best over the long game. Peak performance isn’t about nonstop grind—it’s about sustainability.
Q: How does burnout affect company culture?
A: Teams mirror their leaders. A burned-out executive signals to the team that exhaustion is normal, which lowers morale and productivity.
Q: What’s one simple step to prevent burnout?
A: Jane suggests gratitude practice. Shifting from stress to appreciation can reset your mindset and energy in real time.
Sarah and Jane remind us: healthy leadership is revenue leadership. Taking time to recover isn’t a luxury—it’s the fuel that keeps growth engines running. By focusing on resilience, awareness, and delegation, leaders create cultures that sustain performance long-term.
For the full breakdown and actionable tips, listen to the episode on Apple, Spotify, Amazon Music, or YouTube. And if you’re ready to fix your revenue engine, connect with our team at StringCan Interactive.