Susan DrummCEO Advisor & Executive Coach | Leadership Change Agent

Why High Performers Burn Out #shorts

23 Mar 2026 · 1 min

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In this short video, Susan Drumm explains that burnout among high‑performing leaders is rarely caused by long work hours or heavy workloads. Instead, she argues it stems from entrenched behavioral patterns—what she calls "emotional autopilot"—that develop early in life. These patterns include over‑functioning in meetings, constantly double‑checking others’ work, and habitually saying yes even when internally resisting. Drumm suggests these rehearsed habits once served as safety mechanisms but now keep leaders stuck and prone to burnout.

Chapters

Burnout doesn't always come from too many hours or too much on your plate. Sometimes it comes from a pattern you've been running for years without realizing it. A pattern that once kept you safe but now keeps you stuck. Because most leaders don't burn out from hard work. They burn out from emotional autopilot. You over-function in meetings. You double-check everyone's work. You say yes when everything inside you is begging you to say no. And maybe you think that's just who you are. But what if it's just something you rehearsed? Because these patterns usually start early in life.