Relentlessness has long been celebrated in leadership circles: drive, grit, determination. But at what cost?
Behind the curtain of high performance and constant motion often lies a quiet erosion: disengagement, frustration, irritability, even apathy. Leaders chasing “more” may find themselves feeling less connected, less effective, and less fulfilled.
I’ve lived it myself.
During seasons of transition, when I was unknowingly approaching the end of a chapter, I kept pushing, mistaking relentless drive for commitment. But underneath, I was tired. That internal tension bled outward, impacting how I showed up, how I led, and how others experienced me. I’ve seen the same in leaders who are “successful” by all visible measures but feel lost and unsure of what’s next.
Why do we push so hard? Because the pressure to perform never stops. And the higher you rise, the more isolated you can feel. The weight of expectations, decision fatigue, and disconnection can make it hard to pause, even when pausing is exactly what’s needed.
How high is the cost? Unrelenting pace often leads to a lack of rest, strained relationships, short tempers, and teams left guessing what’s going on. Over time, this degrades trust and weakens your influence, the very currency of leadership.
There’s a better way. Great leaders learn to recognize their own warning signs. They tune into the natural seasons of life and leadership and stop resisting the shifts. Most importantly, they stop going it alone.
If you’re feeling restless, or if someone on your team is, don’t try to push through it in isolation. Talk to someone. Reach out. Reflect. Rest. Realign. The strongest leaders aren’t the ones who never pause; they’re the ones who know when it’s time to. Being relentless might win short-term battles. Sustainable leadership, however, requires wisdom, awareness, and the courage to shift gears.
Feeling restless in your leadership or noticing signs in your team? Let’s talk. I help leaders and teams navigate transition, realign with purpose, and restore healthy momentum. Contact me to start the conversation and share this post with someone who might need it.
Until next time, make today GREAT!
