A leader's motivation is slipping insidiously

In Finnish working culture, a persistent myth glorifies leaders as tireless individuals who overcome all obstacles through sheer grit, working endlessly while sacrificing their wellbeing. It’s time to dismantle this misconception. Leaders, too, have both the right and responsibility to prioritise self-care.

The Finnish Institute of Occupational Health's How Finland is Doing study highlights a troubling trend: burnout among managers and leaders has tripled since the pre-pandemic period. Over 66% of leaders report considering a job change due to stress (Lähtijät Podcast Survey 2024), and many feel isolated in their challenges. This prolonged stress doesn’t just impact the individual — it undermines overall business performance.

A survey conducted by Auntie reveals that accessing occupational mental health services remains challenging across all roles, with leaders often feeling even more constrained than their employees in seeking support.

"Few leaders have the courage or capacity to speak openly about their wellbeing. Sadly, the stigma surrounding mental health persists, leaving many to tackle these challenges alone — if they can even prioritise it," explains Immo Salonen, CEO of Auntie.

Encouragingly, 84% of managers and leaders who used Auntie’s services reported that they helped prevent burnout. When leaders succumb to burnout, the effects ripple throughout the organization. Chronic stress impairs decision-making, reduces the ability to navigate complex challenges, and can result in irritability and strained workplace relationships. Prolonged inaction often leads to long-term sick leave or job turnover, which can significantly disrupt company operations and productivity.

A leader’s toolkit for coping

To combat burnout and enhance team performance, Auntie’s professionals recommend these actionable strategies for leaders:
1. Seek support and build a network
Leadership can be lonely, and isolation is a significant threat to well-being. Building a reliable support network—such as mentors, coaches, or fellow leaders—can provide valuable outlets for processing work-related stress.
2. Recognize and manage stress
Stress tolerance is integral to leadership, but stress management is a learned skill. Start by identifying signs of stress, such as disturbed sleep, physical tension, or difficulty focusing.
Effective stress management routines vary by individual. For some, it might be regular exercise, for others, mindfulness practices. The key is discovering what works for you and sticking to it.
3. Set boundaries — and honour them
Leaders are often expected to be perpetually available, but this mindset is unsustainable. Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life is crucial to preventing exhaustion.
Research from Harvard University shows that leaders who maintain healthy boundaries achieve better work-life balance, which directly enhances their performance.
4. Train your mind with professional support
Seeking guidance from psychologists or therapists can be transformative. Professional support helps leaders navigate mental stress and develop tools to manage it effectively. According to Auntie’s survey, 84% of leaders felt that access to low-threshold mental health services helped prevent burnout.
5. Champion cultural change
Self-care for leaders often takes a back seat, even when urgently needed. To break the stigma, organizations must normalise mental health discussions at all levels.

"Addressing mental health should be as routine as addressing physical health," says Salonen. Leaders who prioritise wellbeing set a powerful example, encouraging their teams to do the same.

Leading by example

A wellbeing-focused leader fosters a healthier, more productive organisation. Prioritising your own mental health is not selfish; it’s essential for effective leadership. Take time for yourself. When you thrive, so does your team—and your entire organization.