C-suite execs are also feeling the burnout, quitting at higher rates

What you may already know: It’s not easy being in charge and more than ever, C-suite executives are feeling the stress. According to a survey by Gartner of 200 C-suite executives (excluding chief HR officers), more than half reported they were extremely likely to leave their roles in the next two years. Around 27% reported that they would likely leave their positions in the next six months. More than two-thirds of respondents to the survey reported being asked to do more work in their role, and 44% reported increased stress as a result.

Why? Many are taking on an increased workload as a result of job cuts across industries as companies seek “short term-ism,” or looking for short term financial gain at the expense of the long term health of a company, said Maria DeLorenzis Reyes, executive and leadership coach and founder of consultancy Training Innovations. “It's like trying to feed a family of 10 with the budget for a family of two. Workers are being asked to do more, and that then spills into the C-Suite,” said Reyes.

What it means: This mentality can cause burnout across an organization, said Reyes, making retention difficult at all levels. High C-suite turnover in particular can damage employee morale, sowing distrust and uncertainty between leadership and employees, she said. “People are resentful toward their company, resentful toward the people who remain,” Reyes said. “There’s the chaos and confusion of ‘Now, what happens?’ It trickles down.”

What happens now? The treatment for appeasing the overworked executive has long been a higher paycheck, but that may not be cutting it anymore, said Reyes. The C-Suite exodus may signal that these executives are choosing their health and wellbeing over higher pay. Because of this, organizations may need to make cultural changes to hold onto employees across the board, said Reyes. “The root cause of it is just the way they’re operating,” she said. “They’ve got to understand the long-term impact of all the decisions that have been made, what they’re doing to the people who work here – and the sustainability of their company.”