It’s an exhausting time to be in senior leadership. If your executive role feels unsustainable, you’re not alone. Many senior leaders are quietly questioning whether the top job is worth the stress. But instead of stepping down, step back. Here’s how to build a personal retention plan to stay put without sacrificing your well-being.
Reevaluate what the role really requires. Start by rethinking your job—not as it was designed, but as it needs to be today. Ask yourself: What’s the most important problem I solve? What would this role look like if I rebuilt it from scratch? You may discover opportunities to redefine the work so it aligns better with your values and capacity.
Take an internal inventory. Next, clarify what energizes you and what drains you. Identify your “superpower space”—the work where you add the most value—and assess how much time you spend there now. Understanding your motivations and stressors helps you separate what’s non-negotiable from what’s adaptable.
Document the changes you need. Finally, write out what you want to protect, what you need to release, and the conversations you must have to reset relationships and expectations. Even subtle shifts in calendar, communication, or focus can dramatically improve sustainability and impact.
