Burnout: 4 Leaders share real-world stories and how to cope

Burnout and work-related depression costs the world an estimated $1 trillion dollars a year in lost working days – and chances are you've felt that stress yourself. In this special compilation episode, highlighting interviews recorded over the past year, leaders share their personal experiences with burnout and exhaustion. They also offer practical, tactical steps for recognizing burnout early, setting boundaries, fostering psychological safety and building teams that are resilient — not just productive.
Leaders featured include:
-David Ko, CEO of Calm, who reveals the blind spots that leave employees unsupported — and why sharing your own mental health journey may be the most powerful tool leaders have for more resilient teams
-Kearney's Paula Bellostas Muguerza, who shares the frightening health crisis that forced her to face burnout head on and the questions that helped her reset her priorities
-Li Li Leung, former CEO of USA Gymnastics, on why it's key to normalize mental health support for teams and how gymnast Simone Biles' famous decision to withdraw at the Tokyo Olympics reshaped conversations around self-advocacy and psychological safety
-August CEO and social entrepreneur Nadya Okamoto - on hustle culture, "girl boss" burnout, finding joy, and why rest is now central to her success.

About this episode: 
Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/burnout-strategies-mental-health-leaders
Interviewers: Julia Rignot, Linda Lacina
Editor: Taz Kelleher, Jere Johannson
Studio Production: Gareth Nolan

About this week's guests: 
Calm CEO David Ko
Website - Calm: Calm.com
Book - Recharge: Boosting your mental battery one conversation at a time: https://rechargethebook.com/

Kearney's Paula Bellostas Muguerza
Website - Kearney: https://www.kearney.com/
Related Meet The Leader episode: Bridging the gap in women's health research, policy and innovation: Kearney
Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/5p22ebun
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/3jmahwwj

Li Li Leung, former CEO of USA Gymnastics
Website - USA Gymnastics: https://usagym.org/
Related Meet The Leader episode: Rebuilding trust after turmoil and coaching for results that matter: USA Gymnastics CEO
Transcript: https://tinyurl.com/yc4dk2a8
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/mvwxcsaz

August CEO and social entrepreneur Nadya Okamoto
Website - August: https://www.itsaugust.co/
Related Meet The Leader episode: A Gen Z founder on breaking down big stigmas and surviving hustle-culture
Transcript: https://www.weforum.org/podcasts/meet-the-leader/episodes/nadya-okomoto-august-period-poverty-startup/
Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/mss65msb