Burnout is a debilitating condition that can hit suddenly, leaving you in a state of depletion. Symptoms can include exhaustion, insomnia, headaches and joint pain
Lucy Gernon is an Irish, award-winning Executive Coach who started her coaching and training business at the age of 40, during the pandemic. Her mission is to help women in corporate leadership get the tools they need to become more strategic, confident and impactful leaders.
After 20 years in the corporate business, the mum-of-three is well placed to understand the position of women in leadership who start to experience symptoms of burnout.
As part of The Invisible Struggle series in Irish Country Magazine, she spoke to Niamh Devereux about how to ‘have it all’ without sacrificing your mental or physical wellbeing.
In your experience, what unique challenges do women in leadership face when it comes to balancing personal and professional responsibilities?
As a woman in leadership, you likely feel like you’re spinning multiple plates, managing the demands of your team, keeping everything at work on track, and still showing up for your family or loved ones. The pressure to “keep the ship afloat” at work while being everything to everyone at home is relentless.
It can feel like there’s never enough time to catch your breath, let alone focus on yourself. This constant juggling act leaves little room for the strategic thinking or prioritisation that’s key to leading effectively without burning out.
How much of burnout in women is linked to the need to constantly prove their competence, especially in male-dominated industries?
So much of burnout stems from this exact pressure. In industries where women often feel under-represented, there’s a constant need to overdeliver just to be seen as competent. You’re not just showing up, you’re working harder, over-preparing, and pushing through exhaustion to prove you belong.
This “prove-it” cycle is exhausting and unsustainable. It’s also unnecessary. One of the biggest shifts we help women make in 3SIXTY Leaders Club is moving from reactive overwork to intentional, results-focused, strategic leadership. When you stop chasing tasks and start focusing on outcomes, you free up energy for what truly matters.
Does imposter syndrome play a part in this?
Absolutely. Imposter syndrome often feels like a constant, nagging voice in your head questioning whether you’re good enough or deserving of your success. Even accomplished women can feel they have to work harder to justify their place, overcompensating with perfectionism and over-commitment.
But here’s the truth: You are enough, and your results prove it. Shifting your mindset from “What if I fail?” to “What value do I bring?” is key to silencing that voice. I always recommend my clients keep an “Achievements Archive” to document their wins. We know from the science of positive psychology that happiness comes from celebrating the journey.
How does the ‘superwoman’ myth contribute to the feeling of being overwhelmed?
The ‘superwoman’ myth is a trap. It tells us we need to do it all and do it perfectly, be the best leader, the best mother, the best partner, and somehow make it all look effortless.
The reality? Perfection isn’t the goal, impact is. Letting go of the need to “do it all” frees you to focus on what’s most important. In 3SIXTY Leaders Club, we teach the 10 Golden Rules for Work-Life Balance, including strategies to let go of perfection and replace it with strategic prioritisation. It’s not about doing more; it’s about doing what truly matters.
What three daily practices would you recommend to prevent burnout in a high-pressure corporate environment?
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight, and neither does balance, it’s built through small, consistent action that yield incremental compounding results. Here are three daily practices I recommend:
- Be More Strategic: Start your day by getting clear on your top 3 priorities. Focus your energy on the tasks that move the needle. My Ultimate Leadership and Life Toolkit includes powerful tools to help you plan your day effectively, set meaningful goals, and stay on track, designed to help you lead with purpose and balance.
- Delegation: You don’t have to do everything yourself. Trust your team or support network, empowering others isn’t just good for them, it’s good for you too.
- Reflection: Take five minutes at the end of each day to ask yourself: What worked? What didn’t? How did I feel today? How can I protect my energy tomorrow? Reflection builds awareness and helps you adjust before overwhelm creeps in.
In 3SIXTY Leaders Club, we build on these foundations by teaching women to stop obsessing over to-do lists and being involved in everything and focus on results and outcomes. This mindset shift is one of the most powerful tools for reclaiming time and reducing stress.
How can women redefine success in a way that doesn’t compromise their health and well-being?
Redefining success starts with recognising that your health and well-being are non-negotiable. Success isn’t about doing more, it’s about doing what matters most. Set boundaries that protect your time and energy, focus on your values, and remind yourself that rest is productive. You can use my 3 step method in my free work-life balance guide here.
What can corporate culture do to better support women in preventing burnout and maintaining work-life balance?
Corporate culture needs to shift from rewarding hours worked to valuing outcomes and results. You can spend 60 hours in meetings every week and deliver no value for the organisation! Leaders need to be clear on deliverables and tangible results with their teams. Flexible working arrangements, clear boundaries around after-hours communication, and leadership training that normalises delegation and self-care are essential.
And let’s not forget the power of representation, when women see other women thriving without burning out, it gives everyone permission to challenge the status quo.
What’s the role of community and social support in overcoming burnout?
Community is everything. Leadership can feel isolating at times, but the right support network reminds you that you’re not alone. Surrounding yourself with other driven, high-achieving women who “get it” is one of the most powerful ways to prevent burnout.
That’s exactly what we’ve created in 3SIXTY Leaders Club. It’s a community where women in leadership learn to develop themselves professionally, lead others effectively, and maintain balance. We focus on strategic thinking over reactive decision-making, helping you lead with intention, avoid burnout, and create lasting impact.
Burnout doesn’t have to be your story. With the right tools, boundaries, and support, you can lead with impact and maintain balance in your life. Start small, focus on what matters, and remember: success is about thriving, not just surviving.
