Confronting Leadership Discontent: A 5-Step Action Plan

You wake up and immediately dread the coming workday, which looms over you. Leadership discontent can creep in silently, turning what was once a fulfilling role into a source of frustration and burnout. Carrying the ongoing stress associated with deep discontent can deeply harm your well-being in a multitude of ways. In fact, burnout signs have surged by 60% since 2020, and 72% of leaders frequently feel exhausted by day's end (DDI 2023).

The best way forward is to simply build awareness and prepare for action. This post will walk you through five practical steps to identify and address your discontent, helping you generate more joy in your leadership journey.

Step 1: Recognize the Signs of Discontent

Leadership discontent often manifests in subtle ways before it becomes overwhelming. Here are a few common signs to watch out for:

• Loss of Enthusiasm: The spark you once had for favorite elements of work is dimming. You find yourself less excited about new projects or initiatives.
• Increased Frustration: Small issues that used to roll off your back now irritate you more easily. Patience with your team or colleagues may be wearing thin.
• Physical Symptoms: Stress can manifest physically. Headaches, fatigue, and changes in sleep patterns can be indicators that something is off.
• Emotional Exhaustion: Feeling emotionally drained at the end of each day, or even the start of it, is a major red flag.
• Disconnect with Purpose: You struggle to find meaning or satisfaction in your work, questioning the impact you're making.

By being aware of these signs, you can catch leadership discontent early and take steps to address it before it escalates. If you’re already at a point of amplified and overwhelming discontent, read on for some simple steps toward relief. 

Step 2: Reflect on Your Leadership Journey

Take a moment to reflect on your leadership path. While this exercise can drum up all kinds of emotions, from nostalgia to resentment, it’s important to give light to the roots of your discontent.

• What initially drew you to your current role?
• What aspects of your job used to bring you joy and satisfaction?

Compare those feelings to how you feel now. Reflecting on these questions can help you pinpoint the true sources of your discontent. Consider journaling your thoughts and discussing them with a trusted mentor or coach. This reflection can bring clarity and serve as a foundation for making meaningful changes.

Step 3: Reconnect with Your Purpose

One of the most effective ways to combat discontent is to reconnect with your purpose. Ask yourself:

• Why did you become a leader in the first place?
• What values and goals drive you? 
• When was the last time you felt joy in your work (this role or another)?
• What were you doing in those moments and who were you with?

Realigning your daily tasks and long-term objectives with your core purpose can reignite your passion and motivation. Consider crafting a personal purpose statement—even building a vision board that encapsulates your aspirations. Your purpose statement and visual reminder can keep you focused on what truly matters to you.

Step 4: Engage in Open Dialogue

Open and honest communication often alleviates the weight of discontent. Consider a season of regular discussions with your team, trusted peers, a mentor, or a coach. You offer yourself access to perspective and critical support when you open up about your struggles. As a leader, you can also foster a supportive environment where others feel comfortable sharing their own challenges. This dialogue can lead to collective problem-solving and a stronger sense of camaraderie. Additionally, seeking feedback from your team can provide insights into areas for improvement and help you feel more connected and engaged.

Step 5: Implement Positive Changes

Once you've identified the sources of your discontent and reflected on your purpose, it's time to make positive changes. Start simply and shoot for quick wins. Then, with the help of your support system, consider a longer-term roadmap to get you back to truly joyful leadership. Here are a few actionable steps to consider:

• Delegate More: If you're feeling overwhelmed, delegating tasks can lighten your load and empower your team.
• Set Boundaries: Establish clear boundaries between work and personal time to prevent burnout.
• Practice Self-Care: Whether it's exercise, hobbies, or spending time with loved ones, consider at least a half-hour per day (an hour if you can swing it) turning your energy inward and renewing your own sense of self and well-being.
• Pursue Professional Development: Consider one opportunity that would amplify your own growth and possibly reignite your passion for leadership. Consider attending a workshop, reading a book, or finding a coach.
• Foster a Positive Work Environment: Celebrate wins, big and small, to boost morale and remind yourself of the good that surrounds you.

Addressing leadership discontent is not an overnight process. However, taking these steps can set you on the path to rediscovering fulfillment. Remember, it's okay to seek help and make changes to ensure that you and your team thrive. Leadership is a journey, and with the right approach, it can be one that generates joy for you—and everyone you lead.

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About Lindsay Harris and Leader Haven

A Positive Intelligence Coach(TM) and Certified Working Genius Facilitator, Lindsay established Leader Haven to help leaders rediscover joy and dismantle dysfunction. An acclaimed speaker and coach, Lindsay is on a mission to build The Joy Generation—a generation of all ages that seeks to establish joy at work through inner work, trust-building, renewed collaboration, and healthy empowerment.