Burnout isn’t just a crisis. It’s a crossroads.

For many the early signals—fatigue, cynicism, brain fog—are seen as something to push through. But the real opportunity lies in the pause that burnout demands.

It isn’t about bouncing back to business as usual. It’s about growing into something new, in order to thrive.

Have you been handed these solutions to burnout: “Take a yoga break,” “Try mindfulness,” or “Encourage self-care.”

These feel meaningful—but alone, they don’t create lasting impact. Solving burnout requires systemic change—rooted in research, not just feel-good fixes.

AI promised to unburden us—for stretched-thin leaders, it sounded like the help we’d been waiting for. But in these early days of adoption, the results are mixed. Many are feeling not relief—but more pressure.

A new kind of burnout is emerging—not from too little support, but from too much acceleration, too soon

Founders and early-stage leaders aren’t just vulnerable to burnout—they’re primed for it.

And the irony? Many don’t see it coming until it crashes into their health, their business, or their relationships.

“I thought I was just tired. That if I could get through next quarter, I’d feel better. That it was just stress.”

These are the words I hear—over and over again—from high-performing ICs, leaders at all levels, and founders, who are staring burnout in the face. And they are not alone! But this phenomena is widely misunderstood.

It’s time to rewrite the narrative.