The Numbers Don’t Lie: Stress Is High, and Rising

Justine Asante
Feb 8
3 min read

Updated: Mar 13

Recent research paints a stark picture of executive stress and burnout:

Around 60% of senior women leaders report frequent burnout, a rate significantly higher than their male peers and the highest seen in years.
94% of employees experience chronic stress at work, with women reporting stress more often than men.
91% of executive women perceive a dramatic surge in workplace stress compared with pre-pandemic levels, while leadership demands continue to escalate.

These figures reflect more than “being busy.” They reveal a leadership crisis where executives, especially women, operate without the capacity to sustain performance and well-being.

Why Executive Women Are at Higher Risk

Executive women face unique pressures that amplify stress and accelerate burnout:

1. Elevated Expectations + Invisible Labor

Women in senior roles often carry additional emotional and relational labor. They mentor teams, manage dynamics, and absorb unspoken expectations on top of formal responsibilities. This invisible labor can be exhausting.

2. High Performance Doesn’t Equal Sustainable Energy

Even when executive women succeed in driving results, that success can mask deep depletion. Chronic stress impacts cognitive functioning, emotional regulation, and long-term health. You might find yourself achieving goals but feeling drained.

3. Systemic Barriers Add to the Load

Many women receive less sponsorship and career support while navigating cultural expectations that demand both strength and perfection. Over time, these stressors compound, leaving even high-achieving leaders questioning how long they can sustain this pace.

Burnout Isn’t a Buzzword: It’s Real, and It’s Costly

Burnout has serious implications for both leaders and organizations:

It erodes clarity, confidence, and emotional resilience.
It increases turnover and diminishes performance.
It undermines long-term physical and mental health.

When executive women struggle, their teams and organizations feel the impact. The ripple effects of burnout can be profound, affecting not just individuals but entire teams.

Why Holistic Coaching Works Where Other Solutions Don’t

Traditional leadership development emphasizes strategy and productivity. What it often overlooks is capacity.

Holistic coaching addresses the whole person. It strengthens internal regulation, boundaries, and resilience alongside external leadership skills. This approach:

Addresses chronic stress at its root.
Builds adaptive resilience and self-regulation.
Supports boundaries without sacrificing influence.
Creates success that is sustainable, not extractive.

Research consistently shows that tailored coaching improves decision-making, engagement, and leadership effectiveness. You deserve a method that nurtures your well-being while enhancing your leadership.

A New Definition of Success

It’s time to redefine what success looks like for executive women:

Not burnout disguised as productivity.
Not more hours but more capacity.
Not doing it all but leading with clarity and purpose.

If you’re reading this, you may recognize the tension between your achievements and how your life actually feels. That tension is not a weakness; it’s information. It signals a need for change.

You Don’t Have to Burn Out to Break Through

The most effective leaders aren’t those who push through exhaustion. They are the ones who build sustainable strength. If you’re ready to lead from calm, clarity, and grounded authority, you don’t have to do it alone.

Imagine a leadership style that prioritizes your well-being. You can achieve professional success without sacrificing your health.

Apply for Private Coaching

Private coaching is offered on an application-only basis and is intentionally limited. This work is for executive women ready to build success that sustains them, not depletes them.

Apply for a private session