Why 70% of Leaders Are Considering Leaving

Seven out of ten executives are seriously considering leaving their roles any time soon.

That number isn't a resignation trend. It's a burnout crisis. Most of these leaders aren't lazy or unmotivated. They're exhausted, cynical, and convinced that escape is the only option.

But here's what they don't know: there's a recovery path that doesn't require leaving.

Global Burnout Statistics and Insights for High-Achieving Professionals

I've walked through all five stages of executive burnout. I know what each one looks like from the inside. It happens before stage 4, before the resignation letter gets written.

If you're in stages 2 or 3 right now, you still have clarity.

You still have choice and agency. You still have time to recover without walking away. This post walks you through the stages, shows you where recovery is possible, and explains why most executives miss their window.

Clarity is one session away.

The Five Stages of Executive Burnout

Burnout doesn't arrive suddenly without warning.

It follows a predictable progression that most leaders don't recognize until it's too late. Understanding these stages is the first step toward recovery. You can't fix what you don't see.

Knowing where you are changes everything.

Stage 1 is the honeymoon phase.

You're crushing it with high commitment and new challenges. You feel alive and engaged in your work. This stage can last months or years.

Energy is high, motivation is high, and everything feels possible.

Stage 2 is where things shift.

Early cynicism creeps in without you fully noticing it. You start procrastinating on tasks that used to energize you. Small decisions feel heavy and exhausting.

You blame external circumstances for problems that feel internal.

You tell yourself you're just being realistic.

Most leaders miss this stage entirely because they think it's normal. They think everyone feels this way at their level. They compare themselves to peers who seem fine.

You assume they handle pressure better than you do.

Stage 3 deepens the pattern significantly.

Constant tiredness becomes your baseline, and you stop questioning it.

Resentment builds toward your team, your role, and your industry. Your productivity drops, but you hide it from everyone.

You're still showing up every day and still performing.

But something inside has switched off.

You feel disconnected from work that once mattered deeply to you. You go through the motions without the energy or passion. You're present but not engaged.

Stage 3 feels like your new normal.

Stage 4 is the crisis point.

You're constantly thinking about escape and start actively job hunting.

You have conversations with recruiters and explore other options. You fantasize about leaving your role entirely.

This is where most executives make their resignation decision.

The exit feels inevitable.

The choice feels made by circumstances beyond your control. You can't see any other option. You can't imagine staying in this role.

Stage 4 is where most leaders leave.

Stage 5 is habitual crisis mode.

Despair sets in after you leave your role.

But here's the problem: leaving without understanding your burnout often just moves the problem to your next role. You carry the same patterns forward.

The five stages follow a predictable path.

Understanding them helps you recognize where you are right now. Recovery is possible at every stage, but the window closes as you progress. For a deeper understanding of each stage, read the complete guide to the 5 stages of burnout.

Recovery is possible at every stage.

Why Most Leaders Miss the Recovery Window

The critical window for recovery is stages 2 and 3.

This is where you can reclaim clarity without walking away from your role. But most executives don't recognize these stages as warning signs. They miss the exit ramp entirely.

They think the heaviness is normal.

They think the cynicism is just being realistic about their industry and that the tiredness is part of leadership at their level. They normalize what should be a red flag.

You compare yourself to peers who seem to handle everything fine.

You assume you're not cut out for your role.

You blame yourself for struggling when others seem to manage. You think resilience should come naturally to you. You internalize the problem instead of recognizing it as a system issue.

By the time they reach stage 4, their resignation letter is already half-written.

The decision feels made by external forces.

The exit feels necessary and inevitable. The choice feels taken away from you. You can't see any other option.

The real issue isn't that executives are weak or unmotivated.

The real issue is that nobody teaches leaders to spot burnout before it becomes a departure decision.

There's no framework, no assessment, and no plan. Leaders are left to figure it out alone.

What Recovery Actually Looks Like

Recovery doesn't mean leaving your job.

Recovery means understanding where you are, what got you there, and what the next 30 days need to look like. It means having a concrete plan. It means knowing your first step.

If you're in stages 2 or 3, you still have a choice.

You can recover without leaving your role.

The first step is to clarify your position. You need to know your burnout stage with certainty. You need to know whether you're actually burned out or just stressed.

You need a plan that works for your specific situation.

You need someone who understands what you're going through. You need a roadmap that's tailored to your circumstances. You need support that doesn't require endless therapy sessions.

That's where the Executive Burnout Recovery Blueprint Session comes in.

Ninety minutes to assess where you are right now.

Build a personalized 30-day recovery plan tailored to your situation. Know for certain whether you need deeper support or can recover with structure. Get clarity that removes the guesswork.

No fluff, no therapy-speak, and no generic advice.

Just clarity and actionable next steps that you can implement immediately. The session costs €199 and is worth €938 in value. You get a stage assessment, a written 30-day roadmap, seven days of support, and a clarity guarantee.

If you don't walk away knowing exactly where you stand, you get your money back.

Recovery requires intention, not perfection.

You don't need to have everything figured out before you start. You just need to know where you are and what the first step looks like. Most executives think they need to fix everything at once.

They think recovery means overhauling their entire life.

They think they need to quit, move, and start over completely. They think recovery is massive and requires complete life restructuring. They think they need to make big dramatic changes.

Recovery starts with one clear assessment and one 30-day plan.

Everything else builds from there.

You don't need to have all the answers before you begin. You just need to begin with clarity. One session gives you the foundation you need.

One conversation shifts everything.

The Cost of Waiting

Every week you stay in stage 2 or 3 without intervention, you move closer to stage 4.

The longer you wait, the harder recovery becomes. The more entrenched the cynicism gets. The more the despair deepens.

The more likely you are to make a decision you can't undo.

Companies lose billions to executive burnout annually.

Productivity drops significantly across teams. Retention suffers as leaders leave. Leadership teams fracture under pressure.

The cost is massive.

But the real cost is personal.

You lose time that you can never get back. You lose energy that affects every area of your life. You lose the sense that your work matters.

You lose yourself.

I lost everything before I understood what was happening.

I lost my home, my stability, and my sense of self. I hit rock bottom before I reached out for help. I spent months homeless before I understood burnout recovery.

I don't want that for you.

I don't want you to reach stage 5 before you reach out. I don't want you to make a resignation decision from desperation instead of clarity. I don't want you to lose what I lost.

The question isn't "Should I leave?"

The question is "Do I know what recovery actually looks like?" Most executives don't have an answer. But they can.

You can.

Recognizing Your Stage

Understanding your current stage is the foundation of recovery.

Each stage has distinct markers that help you identify where you are. Stage 2 feels like normal stress that everyone experiences. Stage 3 feels like your new baseline.

Stage 4 feels inevitable and unchangeable.

The difference matters because recovery strategies change based on your stage.

If you're in stage 2, you still have energy and clarity. Recovery at this stage is about intervention before cynicism deepens. You can shift your trajectory with the right support and plan. Learn more about stage 2 burnout symptoms to confirm where you stand.

If you're in stage 3, recovery requires more intention.

You've been running on empty for a while. Your nervous system needs recalibration and rest. Your perspective needs restoration through structured support. According to Harvard Business Review's research on executive burnout, stage 3 is the critical intervention point where most leaders can still recover without leaving their roles.

But recovery is still absolutely possible.

If you're in stage 4, deeper support becomes necessary.

The resignation decision is already forming in your mind. Your clarity is compromised by despair. Professional guidance becomes essential.

The Blueprint Session helps you assess your needs.

Understanding your stage removes the guesswork.

It gives you clarity about what comes next. It shows you whether you can recover in your current role. It helps you make decisions from strength, not desperation.

Clarity is the foundation of recovery.

FAQ

How do I know if I'm burned out or just stressed?

Stress is temporary and tied to specific situations you can identify. Burnout is persistent, affects multiple areas of your life, and comes with emotional exhaustion and cynicism. The Blueprint Session walks you through the distinction clearly.

Understanding the difference changes everything.

Can I recover without leaving my job?

Yes, most executives recover while staying in their roles.

Once you understand your burnout stage and have a structured plan, recovery becomes possible. Leaving without clarity often just moves the problem to your next role.

You carry the patterns forward.

What if I'm already at stage 4 or 5?

Recovery is still possible, but it requires more intensive support.

The Blueprint Session helps you assess whether the full Burnout Recovery Accelerator Program is right for you. Deeper burnout needs deeper intervention.

Professional support becomes essential.

How long does recovery take?

It depends on your stage and specific circumstances.

Stages 2 and 3 can shift within weeks with the right plan. Deeper burnout may take months of consistent work. The 30-day plan gives you the first milestone.

Progress is measurable and real.

Is this therapy?

No, this is structured recovery coaching focused on measurable outcomes.

It's designed for executives who want clarity and action, not endless analysis. You get results, not just conversations. You get a plan, not processing.

This is about moving forward.

Your Next Step

Clarity comes first.

Once you know where you are, you know what recovery looks like. You know whether you need to stay or whether leaving is actually the right choice. You make that decision from understanding.

You make it from clarity, not desperation.

You make it from a place of strength and knowledge. You make it knowing exactly what comes next. You make it with confidence.

If you're looking for more guidance on recognizing burnout early, read our post on early warning signs of burnout executives miss. You might also find value in exploring how burnout changes the brain, which explains why stage 2 and 3 feel so normal.

Understanding the science helps you trust what you're experiencing.

Take your mental vacation seriously.

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