We’ve reached the halfway point of the year. For many, well-intentioned resolutions have quietly faded. Even carefully crafted business plans have unraveled in the face of unexpected challenges. Whether you’re the CEO of a global firm or a senior leader within an organization, chances are you’ve felt the strain. The role of the CEO has always been demanding.
However, in 2025, it has become even more relentless and often misunderstood. Burnout, emotional fatigue, and quiet depression are becoming more common in the C-suite than most are willing to admit. Recent data from Vistage’s CEO Confidence Index indicate a notable decline in optimism among executives with revenues ranging from $1 to $20 million. And it’s not just smaller firms feeling the pressure. Russell Reynolds’ Global CEO Turnover Index reports that the average CEO tenure dropped from 8.1 years in Q1 2024 to 6.8 years in Q1 2025, marking the sharpest decline in recent years.
With expectations continually rising, now is a good time for CEOs not only to review organizational performance metrics but also to conduct a self-audit. Below are two core strategies to help leaders recalibrate and finish 2025 more focused, resilient, and effective than they started.
Put Your Oxygen Mask On First
We’ve all heard the airline safety instructions: secure your own oxygen mask before assisting others. It’s a simple concept but one many leaders routinely ignore. Today’s CEOs are facing a constant barrage of challenges, including volatile markets, a turbulent political environment, economic uncertainty, and exponential shifts in AI that are difficult to keep up with. Pressure is mounting, and with it, mental health is declining.
According to the Vistage survey, 7% of leaders reported feeling emotionally exhausted or burned out daily, while 25% said they frequently experienced this feeling. To shift out of survival mode and return to a state of clearness, CEOs must start treating their well-being as a core business lever, not an optional luxury. Here are a few ways to begin:
- Schedule intentional solitude to reflect and recalibrate
- Treat sleep as a strategic asset, not a mild benefit
- Maintain a consistent exercise regimen to buffer against daily stress
- Build a trusted support network consisting of advisors, peers, and coaches
- Protect at least one personal hobby (it’s good for business)
Lead The Narrative Or Get Led By It
Trust is fragile. Once lost, whether internally or externally, it’s hard to regain. And one of the fastest ways to lose it is poor communication. A recent example: Target CEO Brian Cornell attempted to address various organizational stressors with an internal memo. While he acknowledged the leadership’s silence during recent controversies, employees remained dissatisfied. The message lacked direction. And without clear next steps, confidence can erode further.
In today’s business climate, employees don’t just want polished updates; they want honest, human communication. With economic uncertainty looming and AI heightening job-related anxieties, leaders must prioritize transparency and honesty in their communication to maintain trust and confidence. Transparency isn’t a weakness. Transparency builds alignment and strengthens loyalty in turbulent times. Start with these small, intentional actions to build trust:
- Share strategic vulnerability: “Here’s what we know and what we’re still figuring out.”
- Front-load difficult truths rather than reacting defensively later
- Be honest about the company’s direction, workforce changes, and AI adoption, amongst numerous other key workplace topics
- Initiate “micro-connections” to reinforce presence, connectivity, and approachability
When leaders communicate clearly and consistently, they reduce anxiety and reinforce stability—regardless of the external chaos.
A Strong Leader Is A Great Dancer
Leadership, whether over 20 or 20,000 people, is a delicate dance. Like any skilled dancer, a great leader moves with timing, presence, and self-awareness. They adapt without losing rhythm. Sometimes, the tempo speeds up, such as when AI evolves overnight, markets shift, and employee sentiment changes. Other times, the moment calls for stillness and recalibration. As leaders enter the second half of 2025, remember that leadership isn’t just about making wise decisions. It’s about sensing the shift in music and responding with poise, not panic, because the CEOs who finish the year stronger than they started aren’t just reacting. They’re leading the dance.