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Forbes
16-07-2025
- Health
- Forbes
Why CEO Health Is The Leadership KPI That Drives Everything Else
CEO health is the KPI driver influencing all other metrics. Inside boardrooms and quarterly reviews, executives obsess over key performance indicators: revenue growth, profit margins, net promoter scores, and employee engagement, to name a few. But amid all the dashboards and data, one KPI remains underrepresented: CEO health. Executive well-being is more than a personal matter. It's a strategic asset and impactful KPI that shapes performance and potential from the top down. When neglected, it becomes a hidden liability with impactful costs. According to a widely reported Deloitte study, 75% of C-suite leaders have considered leaving their roles for ones that better support their well-being. When a leader's physical, mental, or emotional bandwidth is depleted, their decision-making abilities falter, the organizational culture weakens, and loyalty erodes. Health is the invisible infrastructure beneath every board-level priority. Below are three critical domains directly influenced by executive well-being. 1. Decision-Making And Perceived Leadership Effectiveness The quality of leadership is inseparable from the quality of a leader's decisions. Yet many executives operate under conditions that steadily erode their cognitive edge: unmitigated stress, fragmented sleep, suboptimal nutrition, and inconsistent physical activity. There's a difference between mentally existing throughout the day and mentally thriving. A study published in The Leadership Quarterly found that a one-standard-deviation decline in a CEO's mental health was associated with a 6% drop in firm performance. The effects extended beyond mood, showing up in slower execution, diminished judgment, and weakened presence. And when a CEO is off their game, the consequences cascade through balance sheets, team dynamics, and investor confidence. Well-being also communicates before words are spoken. CEOs who run marathons—or engage in other intense physical training, a proxy for cardiovascular fitness and stress resilience—have been linked to greater firm value, stronger M&A outcomes, and more stable stock performance. 2. Connectivity And Talent Optimization An executive's habits become organizational norms. Leaders who visibly prioritize recovery, boundaries, and health send a signal far louder than any company memo. A study in the Transdisciplinary Journal of Management confirmed that health-promoting leadership directly elevates performance by improving employee well-being. And research from Frontiers in Psychology reinforced this, finding that such leadership reduces burnout and increases engagement by creating a climate where people can consistently operate at their best. Leaders who model strategic energy allocation—whether it's deliberate recovery, mindful delegation, or strategic disconnection—build teams that are more loyal, more resilient, and more productive. In today's talent economy, where replacing key performers is both costly and time-consuming, well-being is a KPI that positively impacts numerous organizational metrics. 3. Stakeholder Trust And Company Image Executives are constantly communicating, even before they speak. Body language, energy levels, facial tension, and vocal tonality all contribute to the perception of confidence, credibility, and control. In high-stakes settings, executive presence precedes executive messaging. A leader who appears physically depleted or emotionally flat can unintentionally project instability. Stakeholders and investors make micro-judgments long before financial results are released, and in a 24/7 media environment, those impressions travel fast. Markets have historically responded to health-related executive signals. When Steve Jobs appeared visibly unwell at public events, Apple shares dipped. When Jamie Dimon underwent emergency heart surgery in 2020, JPMorgan's stock dropped nearly 8%. Both companies eventually rebounded, but the initial response reveals a larger truth: markets react to leadership uncertainty, especially when it stems from health issues. The same principle applies internally. Just as investors respond to perceived stability, teams and stakeholders respond to how leaders communicate under pressure. Trust isn't built on flawless execution. It's shaped by emotional intelligence. A recent study titled "The Trust Dilemma" found that CEOs who expressed personal vulnerability, authentically and strategically, were viewed as more trustworthy by investors. This type of transparency, especially in challenging moments, served as an emotional buffer, improving credibility and confidence. Perception is reality in leadership. CEO Health: The KPI That Influences All Others In leadership, it's not just about what gets done, but how it gets done, and how long it can continue to get done. The infrastructure behind all of it is a leader's capacity. And that capacity is built through health and well-being. CEO health isn't just a personal obligation. It's an organizational driver. Decision-making, team performance, cultural integrity, vision building, and stakeholder trust are all downstream of executive well-being. And unlike market volatility or external risk, CEO health is a variable leaders can fully control.
Forbes
20-03-2025
- Business
- Forbes
When Burning Bridges Is The Right Career Move
Letting go of the wrong connections makes space for the right opportunities. Choose your network ... [+] wisely! The phrase 'Don't burn any bridges' is common advice in professional circles. It emphasizes the importance of maintaining relationships, even when moving on from a company, boss or colleague. But what if burning a bridge isn't just necessary—but a strategic career move? The reality is that not all professional relationships are beneficial in the long run. While maintaining connections can open doors, holding onto toxic, unproductive relationships do more harm than good. Cutting ties in certain situations leads to greater career mobility. Instead of unquestioningly adhering to the idea that every bridge must be preserved, professionals should assess whether a relationship is helping or hindering their growth—and have the confidence to walk away when necessary. A strong professional network is one of the most valuable assets in a career. However, some connections hinder, rather than help, professional progress. Here's when and why burning a bridge can actually be a smart decision: While networking is essential for career advancement, toxic relationships drain energy and limit opportunities. The Leadership Quarterly found that individuals who stayed connected with toxic bosses, colleagues or mentors experienced higher stress levels. If a relationship consistently undermines your growth, severing it could be the healthiest decision. Not all connections contribute to professional success. Sometimes, you need a connection detox by strategically letting go of stagnant or unhelpful relationships. Professionals who actively refine their networks by focusing on high-value connections experience greater career mobility and job satisfaction. If a relationship doesn't bring mutual value—or worse, it holds you back—it may be time to move on. A person's reputation is often shaped by the company they keep. If a professional connection is engaging in unethical behavior—whether it's a corrupt boss, dishonest business partner or toxic industry leader—staying associated with them is damaging. Research found that professionals who distance themselves from unethical networks are often perceived as more principled and trustworthy. In these situations, burning a bridge isn't just advisable; protecting your integrity and career prospects is necessary. There are moments in a career when making a clear, public break sends a powerful message. Leaders who openly disassociate from toxic workplace cultures or harmful business practices often gain credibility and respect. Professionals who take a stand against toxic environments built stronger long-term reputations and had greater leadership opportunities. If leaving quietly means enabling a broken system, burning the bridge with intention serves as a statement of values. Burning a bridge isn't a choice in certain cases—it's a necessity. If a former employer or colleague refuses to respect boundaries, damages your reputation or undermines your career, there's little value in maintaining the connection. Instead of trying to repair a one-sided relationship, it's often better to move forward and invest in more supportive professional networks. If you need to professionally communicate that you are no longer maintaining a connection with someone, the key is to be clear, respectful and firm while avoiding unnecessary conflict. Here are a few ways to do it, depending on the situation: If the relationship is no longer beneficial, but you want to maintain professionalism: 'I appreciate the time we've worked together, but I'm moving in a different direction and am focusing on new priorities. I wanted to be upfront about the fact that I won't be able to stay in touch as before. Wishing you the best moving forward.' Growth sometimes requires closing doors—move forward with confidence and clarity! If someone is repeatedly reaching out, but you no longer wish to engage: 'I wanted to reach out and let you know that I'm focusing on other commitments right now, so I won't be able to continue our conversations. I appreciate our past interactions and wish you success moving forward.' If you need to remove yourself from a situation involving unethical or harmful behavior: 'Given recent developments, I've decided to step away from this relationship as it no longer aligns with my values and professional direction. Thank you for understanding my position, and I wish you well.' If the relationship doesn't require a direct message, you can simply: If the connection is more official, such as a new client or mentor-mentee relationship: 'After careful consideration, I've decided to step away from our professional relationship to focus on new opportunities that align more closely with my current goals. I appreciate our work together and wish you continued success.' While it's wise to preserve relationships when possible, not every bridge is worth keeping. The key is to do it with intention, ensuring that each step forward leads to a stronger, healthier and more valuable professional network.
