The Executive’s Illusion: Why the ‘Great Push’ Will Always Lead to Burnout
As a high-achieving executive woman, you’ve been taught one primary model for success: The Great Push.
You push through long hours, push through conflicting demands, push past the quiet voice saying you need a break, and push to meet impossibly high standards—often standards you set yourself. For a time, this strategy works. It gets you the promotion, the title, and the corner office.
But for sustained, purposeful, and powerful leadership, pushing is a path to burnout, not breakthrough.
The real secret to continuous career acceleration is not a matter of volume; it’s a matter of velocity—the speed of movement in a specific, intentional direction.
It’s time to stop pushing so hard and start leading with Sustainable Power.
The Hidden Cost of the Constant Grind
The traditional hustle mentality, or ‘The Great Push,’ is often unsustainable for two key reasons:
1. It Confuses Activity with Achievement
When you are constantly pushing, you are rewarded for activity. Sending emails at 11 p.m., juggling 10 projects, and being perpetually “on call” feels productive. However, this activity is rarely correlated with high-impact achievement. It is simply a demonstration of effort, not results. For executives, achievement is defined by strategic impact, not task completion.
2. It Requires You to Betray Your Values
The constant push forces you to violate your non-negotiables: family time, health, rest, or creative output. This misalignment creates a deep internal friction that is the precursor to burnout. To lead effectively, you must lead authentically, and you cannot lead authentically if your internal foundation is compromised.
The shift, therefore, is from leading with effort (The Push) to leading with clarity and alignment (Sustainable Power).
Three Pillars for Leading with Sustainable Power
If you are ready to trade the exhausting ‘Great Push’ for a flow of Intentional Momentum, start by focusing on these three foundational pillars.
1. Define Your Vision with Ferocity
You can’t set your own pace if you don’t know where you are going. Many high-achievers have a vague idea of their next centre of power but haven’t put specific language to it.
- Actionable Step: Stop focusing only on the next step up the ladder. Define the role that will require you to be your fullest self. What specific impact will you have? Who will you be working with? What specific skills will you master? Clarity is your strategic compass—it allows you to confidently say no to opportunities that are simply lateral moves or distractions.
2. Honour Your Non-Negotiables
Your capacity for sustainable leadership is built on your personal energy. You cannot pour from an empty cup, and you must start honouring your own internal resources as your most valuable asset.
- Actionable Step: Identify your top three non-negotiables that fuel your resilience (e.g., 8 hours of sleep, 3 workouts a week, or focused family time). Next, look at your calendar and identify the moments when you are routinely violating one of these. This is where you insert a firm, uncompromising boundary. Protecting your well-being is not self-indulgent; it is a critical component of executive behaviour.
3. The Power of the Intentional No
Sustainable power is rooted in focus. To create the velocity needed for true acceleration, you must fiercely protect your time and energy for high-impact activities. This requires mastering the Intentional No.
- Actionable Step: Stop viewing saying “no” as closing a door; view it as opening the door to your highest priority. Practice saying things like:
- “I cannot take that on right now, but I can introduce you to someone who can help.”
- “To ensure I deliver this project with the quality you expect, I need to de-scope Project X for the next two weeks.”
This shifts the conversation from your capacity to the strategic prioritization of the organisation’s resources. It’s a leadership move, not a passive one.
Choose Momentum Over Exhaustion
You are your most valuable resource. Your career, your well-being, and your leadership impact don’t have to be at odds. They are meant to be integrated and aligned. The shift from the exhausting ‘Great Push’ to leading with Sustainable Power is the moment your career truly begins to accelerate.
If you are ready to find that clarity, master your alignment, and create intentional velocity, I invite you to explore working with me.
Let’s begin your breakthrough.
If you’re ready to gain clarity and accelerate your career, let’s talk. Whether through one-on-one coaching or immersive retreats, I can help you define your path and move forward with confidence.
About the Author
Lorraine Blair is an experienced mentor and consultant specializing in leadership development and organizational strategy. With a proven track record of supporting leaders and teams through challenges, Lorraine empowers organizations to thrive through effective relationship management and collaboration.
