It’s a difficult time to be a leader. More than a third (36%) of managers have reported alarming levels of stress and burnout in 2024. Our current moment in history is defined by political, economic, technological and environmental disruption.

As a leadership coach and Director of The Worthy Leader, I have witnessed how leaders in Australia – as well as my global leadership clients – can struggle to navigate ever-shifting external factors while dealing with internal pressures and resource constraints.

As the pressure mounts for leaders, self-awareness and resilience are critical. When engaging with leaders in times of pressure, I recommend a simple daily practice defined by three daily questions to keep them grounded and ward off burnout. These are: What did I do well? What positive impact did I have? What can I work on tomorrow?

It is far easier to be a calm, positive leader in times of abundance. As leaders come under relentless pressure and the pace and stakes intensify, they can go into machine mode and disconnect from their own needs.

Other signs of burnout include leaders feeling insecure about their decisions and ruminating over actions and workplace interactions. Leaders can also revert to linear, black-and-white thinking and be blinded to creative solutions to complex challenges.

Traits of successful leaders

However, periods of disruption are nothing new. They are an opportunity for leaders to grow and instill optimism and resilience in the people they manage while confidently steering the team and business. Some traits that support leaders under duress include emotional maturity, empathy, healthy and well-asserted boundaries and most importantly, a well-developed sense of self-worth.

When a leader has done the work to feel innately worthy, they are less rattled by the challenges and opportunities they face, as they understand that the external world is not a reflection on them.

While they take accountability for their leadership impact, they don’t feel a need to manage their image and have developed the ability to objectively reflect on the circumstances around them.

A centered leader communicates and inspires calm and optimism in the people they manage. As a result, their teams and businesses often perform better. This is reflected in recent survey data by The Training Industry, in which 44 percent of survey respondents said they want leaders who are self-aware, composed, fair and able to work effectively with all types of people.

Three questions to help leaders make the most of 2025

The leaders who will thrive in 2025 are those who nurture their own resilience by learning to view complex realities with perspective, integrity and empathy. Every year holds challenges and opportunities, and leaders can frame these for their teams in a way that inspires wise action.

In order to build self-awareness and resilience, I ask my leadership coaching clients to ask themselves the following questions at the end of each day.

What did I do well?

Start by recognizing your strengths. Many leaders struggle with imposter syndrome, a nagging sense that they are not up to the challenges of their leadership role. However, you have been placed in a leadership position for legitimate reasons, and it is important to remember the strengths you bring to the table each day.

I saw this in practice with one of my clients. James applied for a senior executive role. He suffered from a stammer when he was a child and has struggled all his life with feelings of inadequacy. The question I asked him to reflect on every day was, “Why not me?” He wrote down reasons in his journal why he would be an effective member of the executive team.

Each day, as the list grew, so did his self-belief. He nailed the interview and two years later, is on track for the CEO position.

What positive impact did I have?

Feeling despondent is a normal, common symptom of overwhelm. It is important to acknowledge our fears but not allow them to trigger the start of a dangerous spiral. If you are taking considered action each day, chances are that you are making a positive impact.

When it comes to driving results or shifting the culture within a team, an incremental positive impact can add up. I regularly ask my clients to consider, ‘Look how far you have come!’ A huge percentage of them agree that, when reflecting on this, they surprise themselves with their growth and achievements. It is so important to acknowledge your track record and progress when you find yourself stuck in a cycle, worrying about the future.

What can I work on tomorrow?

In your leadership journey, it’s important to be honest about areas you can work on and feel empowered about what you can change in the future. Change may feel overwhelming, but it often begins with an actionable, simple step. Wisdom emerges in stillness, so regularly pausing and asking, “What needs to happen next?” increases the chances of wiser decisions and actions.

This is a simple, effective practice that allows leaders to proactively assess their progress, capacity and emotional health, keeping them centered in their leadership role and highlighting any early signs of burnout.

As leaders look forward to the year ahead, they may feel daunted. This is a natural response to complex challenges, but it’s very important to be equally connected to hopefulness. Positive leadership is as much about small, daily practices as it is about the wider strategic view.

Begin your 2025 intentionally by checking in with yourself every day, being in tune with feelings of overwhelm and burnout, and not being afraid to ask for help.

Opinions expressed by The CEO Magazine contributors are their own.