What if the secret to leadership success isn't finding perfect balance, but mastering the art of the pendulum swing? Jennifer Brown, former US Foreign Service Officer turned leadership coach, reveals why traditional work-life balance is a myth that keeps high-achieving leaders trapped in cycles of burnout and depletion.
Drawing from her powerful personal story of physical breakdown after years of putting achievement before well-being, Jennifer shares the exact moment she realized her leadership approach wasn't sustainable. "I had wonderful boss who said to me: 'you have to put your own oxygen mask on first,'" she recalls. "It was like this gut punch—I'm not putting my oxygen mask on first, and how can I pour into my family, my son, my team at work when I'm so depleted?"
This candid conversation explores the revolutionary concept of being the "CEO of your life" by intentionally directing your energy pendulum between priorities rather than attempting impossible balance. You'll discover practical techniques to interrupt negative thought patterns in seconds (without leaving your desk), how to identify your purpose through three revealing questions, and why defining yourself through achievement creates an unsustainable identity that eventually collapses.
Jennifer's faith-centered approach offers a refreshing perspective on leadership development, emphasizing grace for yourself and others while building mental fitness practices that fit into your existing routines. For leaders feeling lost, overwhelmed, or wondering "is this all there is?", this episode provides both comfort and actionable strategies to reclaim your energy and purpose.
The ripple effect of your leadership transformation affects everyone around you—are you ready to put your oxygen mask on first and discover what's possible when you lead from a place of wholeness rather than depletion?
Connect with Jen:
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Music by Adipsia