The Burnout-Proof Leader

Leadership today is more demanding than ever. The pressures of managing people, projects, and personal well-being can quickly lead to burnout. But what if leaders were able to navigate these challenges while still maintaining resilience and fostering workplace well-being? In Lead Well, burnout prevention and resilience expert Paula Davis shares a compelling, evidence-based guide designed to do just that. 

A former attorney turned workplace well-being expert, Davis doesn’t rely on vague inspiration or leadership clichés. Her approach is rooted in science, culminating from her work with organizations worldwide, and backed by research on burnout. Lead Well isn’t just another leadership book in the oversaturated market–it's a game-changer for leaders looking to make a lasting impact without sacrificing their well-being. 

In Lead Well, Davis introduces five essential mindsets that help leaders develop resilience and create healthier workplaces: 

While each mindset is crucial, two stand out as particularly transformative. 

At the core of effective leadership is the ability to make people feel valued. Davis emphasizes that recognition must be "sticky"–meaningful, personal, and lasting. Leaders who connect recognition and appreciation to purpose and identity see increased engagement, motivation, and overall job satisfaction. When employees feel like they truly matter, performance and well-being soar. 

Another major contributor to burnout is an unsustainable workload. Davis highlights that effective leaders must take a proactive approach to balancing demands with available resources. This means setting realistic expectations, ensuring fair task distribution, and fostering a culture where employees feel empowered to voice their workload concerns. Leaders who actively create sustainability prevent exhaustion and boost long-term team performance and success. 

Throughout this book, Davis makes one thing clear: leadership isn’t just about achieving results–it’s about sustaining success in a way that supports both individual and organizational well-being. Leadership behaviors, team dynamics, and individual experiences interconnect to create the conditions for sustainable and thriving work environments. 

Lead Well offers practical, evidence-based strategies to help you build stronger, more resilient teams–without sacrificing well-being. This book isn’t just about managing people better; it’s about leading in a way that ensures lasting success for everyone.