Breaking the Superhuman Cycle: Why Great Leaders Need Rest Too
Many leaders struggle with what can be called the Superhuman Syndrome—the relentless drive to be everything to everyone. They take on impossible workloads, expect peak performance without pause, and wear their exhaustion like a badge of honor. In doing so, they often ignore the very real toll this takes on their physical and mental well-being.
There are those who thrive in pressure-filled environments, constantly chasing the adrenaline high of putting out fires and solving urgent problems. These leaders feel most alive in chaos. But when the pace slows down, they may experience restlessness, frustration, and even self-doubt—forced to confront what they’ve been avoiding through constant motion.
If they’re not dreaming up the next program, chasing the next penny or producing the Midas-touch gold level output - they feel inadequate, losing value and obsolete.
This addiction to urgency and stress can have real consequences. Over time, cognitive overload sets in, decision-making suffers, and resilience fades.
As explored in The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk, chronic stress and high-adrenaline lifestyles lead to long-term physiological and psychological impacts. The body’s trauma response in leadership manifests as fatigue, emotional volatility, and impaired judgment. When leaders operate in a near-constant state of fight-or-flight, their ability to connect, think clearly, and lead with composure is compromised.
Dissonance vs. Resonance in Leadership
Leadership can be experienced in two distinct “energy states”: dissonance and resonance.
As outlined in Resonant Leadership by Richard Boyatzis and Annie McKee, resonant leaders create emotionally intelligent environments where people are inspired, connected, and motivated. These leaders bring emotional clarity, cultivate trust, and lead in ways that empower others.
In contrast, dissonant leaders—often exhausted and reactive—foster disconnection, disengagement, and stress. Dissonance shows up as volatile emotions, reactive decision-making, and a lack of empathy. Over time, this approach undermines team morale, increases turnover, and erodes organizational health.
The good news? Leaders can shift from dissonance to resonance—but it takes intention and a commitment to renewal.
The Sacrifice Syndrome and the Power of Renewal
Leadership inherently involves sacrifice. As General Colin Powell once said: “No matter how cold it is, you must never look cold. No matter how hungry you all are, you must never appear hungry. No matter how terrified you are, you must never look terrified. Because if you are scared, tired, hungry and cold… your followers will be scared, tired, hungry and cold.”
Leaders must often give more than they take. But too often, they forget the essential counterbalance: renewal.
The Sacrifice Syndrome, as described in Resonant Leadership, occurs when leaders give continuously without replenishing themselves. The result? Emotional exhaustion, reduced cognitive function, and strained relationships.
Enter the Cycle of Sacrifice and Renewal—a rhythm of leadership that includes both giving and intentional recharging. Have you ever thought of yourself as an electric car that needs recharging?
Renewal practices are more than just naps or sleeping in on the weekend - they are a disciplined approach to mindfulness, quality rest, personal reflection, and time spent in meaningful relationships. This helps leaders stay grounded, resilient, and fully present.
When leaders model renewal, they not only sustain their own performance—they also set the tone for a healthy, high-performing culture.
3 Practices This Week
Block 30 Minutes for Renewal: Schedule one session (or more you type A leaders!) this week—whether it's a walk, a meditation, journaling, a quiet coffee with a friend, or an afternoon of tech-free time—to intentionally recharge.
Audit Your Energy Patterns: Notice when you feel most depleted during the day or week. Are you in the Superhuman zone? Identify one area where you can pull back or delegate.
Have a Resonance Check-In: Ask a trusted peer or team member, “Do I show up as a resonant leader—or a reactive one?” Use their honest feedback to start the shift.
You’re not a machine. You’re a leader. And the most powerful thing you can model isn’t more hustle—it’s sustainable excellence through renewal.
