At Least 19 CEOs Died on the Job Last Year.

At Least 19 CEOs Died on the Job Last Year. Here’s Why Leaders Need Balance More Than Ever

Last year, at least 19 CEOs died while still serving in office. Combine that with over 1,900 CEO departures in 2023, and we’re looking at a silent crisis in leadership one that deserves serious attention.

As someone who works closely with business leaders, founders, and professionals navigating stress and transformation, I can’t ignore this anymore. Behind every success story often lies another story of exhaustion, anxiety, and quiet burnout.

When Success Becomes Self-Sacrifice

We glorify the tireless CEO, the one who never sleeps and always wins. But when boardroom victories come at the cost of health, family, and peace it’s time to pause and ask:
When did self-sacrifice become a leadership requirement?

I’ve seen it up close. Behind every record-breaking quarter, there’s often a trail of sleepless nights, missed birthdays, and ignored health warnings. Many leaders convince themselves this is what “being driven” means. Yet, the truth is clear chronic stress kills. It kills creativity, clarity, connection, and sometimes, even the leader.

Why Balance Isn’t a Luxury It’s Survival

So why do so many still treat work-life balance like a privilege? Because hustle culture has conditioned us to equate worth with output. But no matter how ambitious we are, human stamina has limits.

And when self-care isn’t modeled from the top, burnout spreads silently through teams and organizations.
True leadership starts with awareness asking tough questions like:

• Why do I say yes when I need to say no?

• What am I afraid of missing if I pause?

This kind of radical self-inquiry isn’t weakness it’s wisdom.

Redefining Legacy and Leadership

Legacy isn’t built on quarterly results alone. It’s built on health, relationships, and the example we set for others.
Each morning, I meditate to ground myself. I’ve also learned to say no to after-hours calls and to protect time with family like it’s sacred.

The leaders I deeply admire from Laxman Narasimhan to Gregg Renfrew make these habits non-negotiable. They prove that boundaries are not barriers; they are foundations for long-term success.

The Courage to Lead Differently

Let’s be real: this is about courage the courage to define success on your own terms. To lead from wholeness, not depletion. Because leadership isn’t just about impact, it’s about endurance.

The next generation is watching. They won’t admire how much we suffered they’ll learn from how bravely we changed.

So pause and ask yourself:
Will you thrive in leadership for the long run, or become another cautionary tale in next year’s statistics?

Manish Behl

#WorkLifeBalance #LeadershipMatters #Burnout #CEOWellbeing #ManishBehl #LeadByExample

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