Burnout doesn’t start big.

It starts small, with tiny leaks in your energy that most leaders ignore until it’s too late.

In this series of short blogs we’re exploring emotional energy for leaders , how to lead with stamina, resilience, and clarity, without burning out.

Today, let’s look at leadership burnout, and how to spot it before it costs you and your team.

1. Early Warning Signs of Burnout

Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It creeps in through small, everyday symptoms that are easy to dismiss.

Common early warning signs include:

• Irritability
  
• Brain fog or forgetfulness
  
• Loss of joy in your work
  
• Disengagement from your team
  
  

For example, maybe you’re listening to a podcast and suddenly realise you have no idea what was just said. Or you walk into a room and forget why you’re there. Or you find yourself getting narky with colleagues or family.

These aren’t just “bad days.” They’re red flags that your energy is slipping.

2. Hidden Costs of Ignoring Burnout

If you push past those early signs, the costs compound quickly:

• Decision fatigue makes you slower and less effective.
  
• Team morale begins to collapse as your energy sets the tone.
  
• Credibility erodes over time when people see you constantly stressed, distracted, or reactive.
  
  

Leadership burnout doesn’t just affect you, it drains your team and damages the culture you’re working so hard to build.

3. Reset Rituals to Protect Your Energy

The good news? You can reset. Simple rituals create space for recovery and stamina:

• Boundaries: Time-block when you’ll respond to emails or end your workday.
  
• Micro-pauses: Look out the window, let your eyes follow a bird for a minute, and allow your nervous system to reset.
  
• Switching off: Put your device away for 30 minutes and reclaim your focus.
  

These rituals are small but powerful. They help you step out of survival mode and back into clarity.

The Burnout Blindspots Diagnostic

In my Emotional Energy Reset Diagnostic, I call this Zone 1: Burnout Blindspots.

If you’re pushing through exhaustion, normalising stress as “just part of leadership,” or noticing your joy fading, you’re already running on fumes.

👉 [Download the Emotional Energy Reset Diagnostic] — it will show you exactly where your blindspots are and how to reset before burnout takes over.

Final Thought

Leadership isn’t about how much you can endure. It’s about how well you protect your energy so you can elevate others.

If this resonated, don’t miss the next post in this series: The Science of Energised Teams: 3 Keys Leaders Overlook.

And remember 

Leadership is energy. Protect yours.