Most CEOs across the U.S. experience burnout, with 7% saying they face it nearly every day, according to a May survey.
The Wall Street Journal and Vistage, an executive coaching organization, collaborate on the monthly CEO Confidence Index, surveying leaders of businesses with revenues between $1 million and $20 million. The most recent data was collected May 5-13 from 494 respondents.
Thirty-nine percent of CEOs said they have occasionally felt burned out or emotionally exhausted in the past 12 months. Another 25% said they feel that way frequently, while 23% said it was rare. Six percent said they did not experience burnout at all in the past year.
In healthcare, ongoing pressures such as workforce shortages, regulatory changes and financial constraints have contributed to burnout for some leaders.
Burnout is an issue Rob McLin, president and CEO of Good Samaritan in Vincennes, Ind., has encountered. He told Becker’s in April that he underestimated the importance of work-life balance when he first took the helm in 2010.
“I didn’t realize that the work-life balance could eat you alive,” he said. “As a CEO coming in, you want to do everything, and that can be a disaster if you don’t do a good job proportioning your time appropriately between your work and the rest of your life.”
Mr. McLin also acknowledged that feeling the need to take ownership of everything was not beneficial.
“The lack of delegation nearly killed me,” he said. “My leadership has evolved in the art of delegation and understanding how important it is to surround yourself with good people and give them the responsibility to work on things.”
Marc Boom MD, president and CEO of Houston Methodist, told Becker’s in 2024 that strategic and financial headwinds — such as those that surfaced during the pandemic — can be among the most difficult challenges for CEOs. When managing key stressors, he said he reconnects with his purpose.
“I think the most important thing a leader can do if you feel a little tired, feel a little burned out, is connect yourself to why you’re there,” Dr. Boom said. “Connect yourself to the passion and purpose of why you do what you do. … I find that going out and talking to the front lines, talking to the patients, hearing patients stories, really connecting yourself to the fact that we’re in a noble profession, and we’re in a profession that is helping humanity, very invigorating and refreshing.”
