Toxic Ambition: Why Overachieving Leaders Burn Out (And How to Stop)

In this episode of The Tech Leader's Playbook, Keren discusses the concepts of toxic ambition and workaholism, exploring how they manifest in leadership and personal life. She shares her journey to becoming a coach and author, emphasizing the importance of aligning personal choices with one's true self. The discussion dives into the 'gilded cage' of success, where achievements can lead to feelings of entrapment. Keren highlights the significance of systems for well-being and the pervasive nature of imposter syndrome among successful individuals. The conversation concludes with insights on finding balance in leadership styles and the need for a more trusting and open organizational culture. In this conversation, we dive into the complexities of leadership, emphasizing the balance between being nice and maintaining control, the loneliness that often accompanies leadership roles, and the hidden struggles that successful individuals face. The conversation also touches on the necessity of building a culture of trust within organizations and the distinction between toxic hustle and healthy ambition. Ultimately, we advocate for a mindset shift that prioritizes emotional well-being and authentic connections over guilt and shame.

Takeaways

• Toxic ambition leads to exhaustion and dissatisfaction.
• Workaholism can stem from imposter syndrome.
• Many coaches enter the field through personal trauma.
• Success can feel like a gilded cage trapping individuals.
• Good systems support both productivity and well-being.
• Imposter syndrome affects a significant portion of the population.
• Ambition can be both positive and toxic.
• Recognizing burnout is crucial for leaders.
• Daily micro-vacations can help prevent burnout.
• Leadership styles need to evolve towards trust and openness.
• Loneliness at the top is common, but can be mitigated by building relationships.
• Success can mask deeper struggles and emotional pain.
• Recognizing signs of burnout is crucial for leaders.
• Focus on what truly matters to avoid being spread too thin.
• Emotional assumptions play a significant role in leadership effectiveness.
• Admitting ignorance is the first step to growth.
• Building trust is essential for a healthy organizational culture.
• Success without fulfillment leads to ultimate failure.
• Rejecting guilt and shame can lead to more effective leadership.

Chapters

00:00 Understanding Toxic Ambition and Workaholism

03:07 Keren's Journey to Coaching and Writing

06:08 The Gilded Cage of Success

08:52 The Cost of Passionate Work

11:57 Recognizing Overachievement and Burnout

14:50 The Importance of Systems for Well-Being

18:09 Imposter Syndrome in Successful Founders

20:57 The Hidden Struggles of Leadership

23:55 The Impact of Toxic Ambition on Leadership

26:59 Finding Balance in Leadership Styles

30:14 Be Nice, But Not Too Nice

34:06 The Loneliness of Leadership

38:20 Recognizing Burnout

39:04 Focusing on What Matters

42:21 Resetting Mindsets

43:25 Emotional Assumptions in Leadership

45:16 Admitting What You Don't Know

47:57 Building a Culture of Trust

50:28 Toxic Hustle vs. Scrappy Ambition

51:23 Rejecting Guilt in Leadership

Keren Eldad’s Social Media Links:

https://www.instagram.com/coachkeren

https://www.facebook.com/LiveWithEnthusiasm

https://www.youtube.com/@kereneldad2960

Keren Eldad’s Website:

https://www.withenthus