Leaders who fail to manage their own stress risk creating workplaces where anxiety, low morale and poor communication become the norm, according to Parkmore occupational therapist and health coach Thobekile Lusinga-Stephano.

The founder of Steph Wellness said burnout among managers and business owners often goes unnoticed because many continue working despite experiencing prolonged stress. “Burnout is not technically a medical diagnosis. It is recognised as an occupational phenomenon that develops when workplace demands consistently outweigh the resources available to meet them over a prolonged period,” said Lusinga-Stephano.

She added that burnout presents itself in several ways, beginning with the mind. “Many leaders experience decision fatigue. It becomes difficult to make decisions; they may delay important choices, delegate more than usual, or even make poor decisions because their cognitive capacity has declined.” She said burnout also affects concentration, motivation, and the ability to think clearly. Emotionally, leaders often experience a level of exhaustion that cannot simply be resolved by getting more sleep. “It is an emotional exhaustion that requires a much bigger lifestyle overhaul.”

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She added that physically, burnout can contribute to recurring headaches, muscle tension, ongoing fatigue, and increased susceptibility to illness because prolonged stress weakens the immune system. According to Lusinga-Stephano, unmanaged stress rarely remains hidden. “If leaders are not mindful of their own well-being, there is a high chance they will project their stress onto others. It spills into communication, relationships, and how they engage with employees.”

She said stressed leaders may begin micromanaging staff, become impatient, or unintentionally place unnecessary pressure on their teams. “Our outside world is sustained by everything happening on the inside. If the inside is not well, it will show.” The consequences extend beyond individual leaders. She explained that leaders set the tone for workplace culture and influence how safe employees feel within the organisation. “If employees are constantly walking on eggshells because of how leaders communicate or behave, that affects emotional safety, morale and productivity.”

Stress also affects employees’ ability to think clearly, collaborate effectively and remain engaged, while unhealthy workplace environments can contribute to higher staff turnover. Lusinga-Stephano believes emotional regulation should be a daily leadership practice rather than something people only consider after reaching burnout. She recommends preparing mentally before arriving at work by establishing a grounding routine, whether through exercise, quiet reflection, prayer or mindfulness.

One of her favourite techniques is the STOP method. “When you notice yourself becoming emotionally activated, stop, take a breath, observe what is happening inside you, and then proceed intentionally instead of reacting.” She also encourages leaders to use grounding techniques that focus attention on the present moment, practise deep breathing throughout the day, and schedule brief breaks every 60 to 90 minutes. “Even a one-minute reset, stretching, drinking a cup of tea mindfully or taking a short walk can interrupt the body’s stress cycle.”

Ultimately, she said, healthier leaders build healthier workplaces. “When we take care of ourselves, we show up as better versions of ourselves for the people we lead.”

Also read: A healthy mind essential for wellbeing

Key Points: Recognising and managing leadership burnout

Signs of burnout in leaders

• Decision fatigue and difficulty making choices
• Reduced concentration, focus, and motivation
• Persistent emotional exhaustion that isn’t relieved by rest
• Frequent headaches, muscle tension, and ongoing fatigue
• Increased susceptibility to illness due to prolonged stress
• Difficulty switching off from work and maintaining a healthy work-life balance

How leaders can regulate stress

• Start the day with a grounding routine such as exercise, prayer, quiet reflection, or mindfulness
• Use the STOP technique: Stop, take a breath, observe, and proceed before reacting to stressful situations
• Practise grounding exercises to stay present and reduce emotional overwhelm
• Take slow, deep breaths throughout the day to calm the body’s stress response
• Schedule short breaks every 60 to 90 minutes to reset mentally and physically
• Regularly check in with yourself by asking, How am I feeling? and responding to signs of stress before they escalate

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