Who’s Looking After the Leaders? Reasons to Prioritise Mental Wellbeing

By Peter Francis

Who’s Supporting the People at the Top?

Maybe you’ve come to accept the 3am wake-ups and Sunday night dread.
Maybe that wave of panic before a big presentation feels normal now.
Maybe you think stress is just part of being a leader.

But let’s be honest—should it be?

In many businesses, the focus is rightly on looking after staff and customers. Yet the wellbeing of the leadership team often gets overlooked—including, perhaps, your own.

If you’re the owner, the MD or a director, this article is for you.

Stress at the Top is Still Stress

Senior leaders are often expected to keep going, no matter what. You’re solving problems, setting the direction, and sometimes even cleaning the office kitchen.

You keep going until something gives.

  • Long hours become normal
  • Sleep becomes optional
  • Pressure builds quietly
  • And then, suddenly, it’s no longer manageable

Mental health isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity—especially at the top.

Neglecting Leaders Has a Business Cost

When a senior team is running on empty, it shows.

  1. Decision-making becomes reactive, not strategic
  2. Stress spreads across the business
  3. Burnout leads to missed opportunities

And yet, many boards don’t talk about it. There’s a fear it’ll sound like weakness, or worse—like no one else is coping either.

What if this is the conversation your board actually needs to have?

A Practical Solution

Havening® is a simple, fast-acting, and science-based technique that helps people deal with stress, fear and trauma.

It’s not counselling. It’s not medication. It’s a proven approach that helps people feel calm, focused and capable again.

For leadership teams, it can mean:

  • Tackling hidden anxieties that affect performance
  • Reducing fear of public speaking or major decisions
  • Replacing stress reactions with clarity and confidence

Boards Need to Look After Themselves, Too

If you’re leading a business and can sense that either you or one of your fellow directors is struggling under pressure, it’s time to act.

This isn’t about getting “soft”—it’s about staying strong.

  1. Start by simply having a conversation.
  2. Ask how your board is really doing.
  3. Explore support tools that can help.

You can’t build a resilient business without a resilient leadership team.

Final Thought: You’re Not Alone

You didn’t build your business by ignoring problems.
So don’t ignore this one.

Want to talk? Let’s have a conversation about how we can support your leadership team. When leaders thrive, businesses grow.

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