Why Leaders Struggle to Disconnect: Breaking the Cycle of Leadership Burnout
- amberkinser0
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
I'll never forget a season in my career when my phone never seemed to stop buzzing. As a department chair, I felt like every question, conflict, and deadline needed my immediate attention. I'd go home at night only to find myself checking my email at the dinner table, worrying about a faculty issue while brushing my teeth, and mentally drafting tomorrow's meeting agenda when I should have been asleep.
That's the tricky thing about leadership burnout. It creeps in quietly and is fueled by the inability to disconnect. And once it takes hold, it not only drains your energy but also weakens your effectiveness as a leader.
Want a practical roadmap for regaining balance? Download my free Burnout Recovery Checklist below.
So why is it so hard for leaders to step away? And what can we do to break the cycle?
Let's dig in.
Why Leaders Struggle to "Turn it Off"
Responsibility That Feels Endless
In academia, as in many leadership roles, responsibility rarely has a finish line. When I served as a chair, I felt responsible not only for the curriculum and faculty performance, but also for student satisfaction, departmental morale, and budget management. With so many plates spinning, it felt like if I stepped away even briefly something would surely crash.
But here's the truth: responsibility may be ongoing but our energy is not. Pretending otherwise only accelerates burnout.
The Illusion of Accessibility
When leaders make themselves available 24/7, it sends an unspoken message: "I'm always on call." I remember responding to emails at midnight, not because anyone demanded it, but because I wanted to prove I was accessible and dedicated.
The irony? The more available I made myself, the less effective I became.
Blurred Lines Between Work & Life
Academic leadership often overlaps with personal identity. I wasn't just Amber, I was "Dr. Kinser." And that role followed me everywhere. I'd run into students at the grocery store, meet colleagues at community events, and even at home, the work of leadership seemed to hang in the air.
Without intentional boundaries, leadership becomes less of a job and more of an all-consuming identity. And that's a direct path to leadership burnout.
Get off the burnout path with my Burnout Recovery Checklist. Download the free guide below.
Breaking the Cycle of Leadership Burnout
Reframe Responsibility
One of the most freeing lessons I learned was this: being responsible does not mean being constantly available. As a chair, I began setting clearer expectations, letting faculty know that while I was committed to their needs, I wasn't available 24/7. I started blocking my calendar for some much needed "focus" time. And these time blocks were non-negotiables, meaning I treated them as seriously as a department meeting or sit-down with my boss. That shift didn't weaken my leadership; it strengthened it.
Build Tech-Free Boundaries
Simple actions make a big difference. I started leaving my phone in another room during dinner. I stopped checking email after 9 p.m. I intentionally left my phone in my office when I stepped out for my mid-afternoon coffee break. These boundaries helped me reclaim mental space, which meant I could show up more focused and present the next day.
Delegate with Intention
Leaders often struggle with delegation because it feels easier to just "do it ourselves." But true leadership means developing others, not hoarding tasks. When I began trusting faculty committees with more decision-making power, not only did my load lighten, but faculty felt more invested in outcomes. Everyone benefited.
Anchor Yourself in Reflection
I developed a weekly ritual of journaling, not just about tasks but about value. Was I leading in ways that aligned with my purpose? Was I modeling the kind of balance I wanted for my faculty? This reflection helped me recognize when I was slipping back toward burnout and course-correct before it took hold.
Leadership burnout thrives in the space where responsibility, accessibility, and blurred boundaries collide. I've lived it and I know the cost. But I also know the relief that comes when you intentionally create space to disconnect.
As leaders, our impact doesn't come from how much we sacrifice, but from how sustainably we lead. Breaking the cycle of burnout requires courage, commitment, and consistency. In the end, we're protecting more than ourselves; we're protecting our teams, too.
Because when leaders thrive, so does everyone around them.
Start thriving today. Schedule your free Discovery Call.
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