Rising To The Occasion When The Stakes And Pressure Are High

Ep.35 - In this episode of The Workflow Podcast, Sam and Derek reflect on the realities of navigating high-stakes professional environments, tackling burnout, and finding balance. They share their experiences of being in disorganized executive meetings, learning to manage energy, and overcoming imposter syndrome. The duo emphasizes the importance of building relationships—both in and out of the boardroom—while making space for quieter voices in meetings. Through humor, candid reflections, and actionable insights, they unpack the messy but rewarding journey of leadership and personal growth.

Key Takeaways:

• Burnout Symptoms: Sam highlights the importance of recognizing early signs of burnout, such as memory lapses and mental fatigue, and finding ways to recharge.
• Purpose Drives Focus: Allocating your time and energy toward purposeful work can help maintain balance and prevent overextension.
• Executive Meetings Are Messy: Contrary to expectations, senior-level meetings are often disorganized and lack structure, requiring leaders to embrace the chaos.
• Imposter Syndrome Is Real: Sam shares his struggles with imposter syndrome, especially when working alongside more experienced colleagues, and how creating space for others helps foster confidence.
• Relationship-Building Outside Work: Socializing after hours can strengthen professional relationships and reveal personal insights that don’t come up in the workplace.
• Empowering Quiet Voices: Leadership isn't just about speaking up—it’s also about making space for quieter team members to contribute meaningfully.

01:09 – Burnout and Managing Energy
Sam talks about experiencing burnout from work, identifying symptoms like memory issues and feeling mentally drained.

02:11 – Purpose and Time Management
Derek and Sam explore how purpose helps in allocating time and energy, emphasizing the need for balance between work and personal life.

03:19 – High-Pressure Decision Rooms
Sam shares his experience being in high-stakes executive meetings and feeling the pressure of contributing meaningfully, describing it as being "in the NBA."

07:02 – Everything is a Mess at Senior Levels
Contrary to expectations, Sam describes how executive meetings are often disorganized, with no clear agenda, and the importance of embracing the chaos.

09:55 – In-Person vs. Remote Dynamics
The discussion shifts to how in-person meetings amplify communication in a way that remote settings can't replicate, making free-flowing conversations crucial.

11:02 – Building Relationships After Hours
Sam highlights the benefits of socializing with coworkers outside of work hours, noting that important conversations and relationship-building often happen during these moments.

12:41 – Handling the Truth in Business
The hosts talk about how transparency in business can be overwhelming for some people, especially when it comes to existential risks and cash flow issues.

15:32 – Overcoming Imposter Syndrome
Sam opens up about feeling imposter syndrome when working with highly experienced colleagues but appreciates when others make space for his input in meetings.

17:08 – Empowering Others in Meetings
They discuss the importance of making space for quieter voices in meetings and how this act of leadership can foster a stronger team dynamic.

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