TLDR:Burnout prevention at the executive level isn’t about time management. It’s about noticing the masks you’re wearing—and finding real ways to take them off. Sustainable leadership lasts because it’s built on something real. And as CEO coach and HR lawyer, Terry Flores says:

“Leadership should be about helping people. If you don’t have a desire to help, what are you doing?”

A Tale of Two Leaders

Picture this: A new VP is walking down the hall after their first performance review, where their lack of connection with team members was pointed out. A junior staff member stops them with a quick ask: “Can you take a look at this?”

The VP’s brain is still spinning from feedback. So, they muscle through. Offer surface-level feedback. Smile like they mean it. Excuse themselves fast.

The staff member walks away wondering:A) “What did I do wrong?” orB) “What’s their problem?”

Now, imagine a different leader. One who recognizes: “I’m do not have enough capacity right now to lead effectively.” They might say:

“I want to give you real feedback, but I don’t have the capacity at this moment. Could we connect tomorrow?”

Or:

“I’m looking forward to seeing what you’ve got. Can we check in after the team meeting when I’m clearer?”

Or even:

“I’ve blocked this time to process my feedback. For now, try one of the other project leads. I’ll review it with everyone tomorrow.”

Same scenario. One rooted in performance. The other in presence.

From Performer to Person: Promotion Doesn’t Equal Readiness

In this episode, I sat down with HR lawyer and interim CEO Terry Flores to talk about the cost of “performing” leadership. As Terry put it:

“Leadership is not at all what you think it is. It’s about vulnerability, authenticity, and compassion, not performance.”

Most execs are promoted for their technical brilliance, not their emotional intelligence. So they bring old habits to new roles. They try to lead by doing what they think they should, instead of discovering what’s true for them now.

Pretending isn’t just exhausting. It’s ineffective.Pretending drains more energy than presence ever will.

Generational Habits ≠ Generational Blame

I asked Terry if she sees younger leaders mimicking outdated leadership styles. She surprised me:

“Actually, I often see younger leaders completely rejecting old models. Which can be just as limiting.”

Sustainable leadership isn’t about copying or rejecting the past. It’s about knowing your values and choosing the approach that aligns with them. That’s where inclusion starts: with openness.

Psychological Safety: The Leadership Baseline

Terry sees it again and again: New execs will perform until they build experience. The question is, does their environment give them room to grow, or room to fail?

“If your staff don’t feel safe in your hands, your skills don’t matter.”

That one hit hard. Because whether you’re focused on inclusion or longevity, psychological safety is the bedrock. That’s why our shift at Latitude from a DEI consulting firm to a sustainable leadership company wasn’t a departure. It was an evolution. Safety is still the foundation.

The Culture-Weaving CEO

When Terry steps in as an interim CEO, it’s usually after things have gone sideways. Her job? Rebuild culture. Rebuild trust. Rebuild safety.

And she doesn’t do it with polished speeches or corporate armor. She does it with transparency and nerdy references to Tolkien, Star Trek, and hot yoga mishaps.

“I’d rather be clumsy and authentic than too polished and ineffective.”

That’s the kind of leadership people trust. And that trust is the thread that holds culture together.

Joy as a Burnout Prevention Strategy

At Latitude, we teach that joy isn’t just an outcome. It’s a burnout prevention strategy. That’s why I always ask my guests: “How are you accessing joy lately?” And because vulnerability flows from power, I go first.

This summer, my joy is fly fishing. My kids don’t need me as much, and instead of mourning that, I’m leaning into nature. Pagosa Springs, the San Juan River, Arizona’s White Mountains. Rod in hand, heart full.

Terry? She’s finding joy in helping others—and in hot yoga. After 15 years away, she returned to class and described the experience as:

“Like taking a hedgehog to ballet.”

It was awkward. It was sweaty. And it was joyful.

Let’s Drop the Act

Executives aren’t burning out because they’re doing too much.They’re burning out because they’re holding back too much of who they really are.

So here’s your invitation: Let’s make it easier for your leaders to come to work.Let’s help them identify the old habits they’ve outgrown and carve out leadership strategies aligned with who they are now.

Because when leaders are real, their teams can relax. And when culture feels safe, we no longer feel like hedgehogs in ballet class. ;)

Want to talk about how we can help your team get there? Let’s connect.

Next Up on Leaders Who LastOur next guest is Vera Minot, co-owner of Southwest Solutions. We’ll talk about how the right vendors can expand a leader’s capacity and supercharge your culture and your bottom line. Hope you’ll join us.

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