Leading can feel heavy. Today executives are under more pressure than ever. If you’ve ever thought “this is harder than I expected” or “I’m not sure I even want this anymore,” you’re far from alone.
Recent studies show that 70% of C-suite executives are seriously considering leaving their roles for the sake of their well-being, and more than half are expected to exit within two years.
Even more telling: younger employees increasingly don’t aspire to leadership positions at all. They see those roles as too stressful, too political, with not enough payoff. They seek meaning over money.
In this episode, Gayle Lantz tackles a topic many leaders think about, but rarely discuss openly: what to do when you’re not loving your leadership role.
As Gayle explains, “You don’t have to love all of it. It doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing deal. The goal isn’t loving leadership, it’s just owning it.”
She explores why leadership feels especially heavy right now, from multiplied expectations and political dynamics to loneliness at the top and the emotional toll of modern leadership. But rather than dwelling on the frustration, Gayle offers a different lens: what if this discontent is actually preparation for something new?
This episode covers:
- Why so many leaders are ready to walk away (and why Gen Z is avoiding leadership roles altogether)
- The real reasons leadership can feel so unlovable right now
- How to make your role fit you better instead of settling for burnout
- Reframing frustration as a directional tool rather than failure
- Why “up” isn’t the only path forward anymore
- The question every struggling leader should ask: “What is this preparing me for?”
If you’re not loving where you are, this episode offers permission to feel that and a perspective on what to do about it.
LINKS
Previous CEO On The Go Episodes:
Why Most Transformations Fail – Leadership Wisdom from Barbara Wittmann #292