Let’s talk about something real. Something I see too often. Leaders running on fumes, teams emotionally drained, and work cultures that celebrate stress like it’s a trophy. The phrase “I’m slammed” has somehow become a badge of honor. But here’s the question I keep asking: at what cost?
As someone pursuing a doctorate in strategic leadership, I’ve been diving deep into what real, sustainable, people-first leadership looks like. And I’ve noticed a major contrast between two types of leaders, those who lead from exhaustion and those who lead from purpose.
Workaholic leadership and servant leadership are not the same. In fact, they are completely different mindsets.
Workaholic leaders may not mean to burn people out. But when the tone is always urgency, and performance is praised over people, the damage adds up. People start hiding their struggles. They avoid being honest. They try to look “busy enough” so they don’t disappoint. Zeng and Liu (2022) found that this kind of leadership often leads to high anxiety and fake productivity, people appear engaged on the outside but are disconnected and anxious underneath.
I’ve been there. I’ve worked under leadership that valued long hours over long-term impact. I’ve seen the cost of mistaking busyness for effectiveness. And I’ve also learned there’s a better way.
Servant leadership turns that pressure culture on its head.
Instead of “look at me,” it says, “How can I support you?” Instead of pushing to get ahead, it creates space for others to grow. Wallace and Spears (2023) describe servant leadership as an approach that is lived out with intentional care for people. These leaders don’t need to be the loudest in the room. They don’t need to control everything. They guide, they listen, and they lead with their team in mind—not just their next title.
Here’s what I love most: servant leaders know that leadership is not about being in charge. It’s about being accountable for the well-being of others.
One of my favorite verses speaks directly to this kind of leadership.
Proverbs 11:25 says, “A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed” (New International Bible, 2011). That is the opposite of the workaholic mindset. It’s not about draining yourself dry to meet unrealistic expectations. It’s about showing up for others in a way that’s sustainable, life-giving and anchored in purpose.
If you’re in leadership—or aspiring to be—my challenge to you is this: take inventory. Are you leading in a way that drains you and your team, or in a way that builds trust and life?
You don’t have to be everything to everyone. You don’t have to chase constant motion to be effective. What you do need is clarity about who you are, who you serve and why it matters.
Let’s flip the script. Let’s lead in a way that refreshes others and keeps us grounded in purpose. Let’s lead—positive on purpose.
Reference:
Wallace, R., & Spears, L. C. (2023). A practitioner approach to modeling and teaching servant-leadership. The International Journal of Servant-Leadership, 17(1), 103–113.
Zeng, Q., & Liu, X. (2022). How workaholic leadership affects employee self-presentation: The role of workplace anxiety and segmentation supplies. Frontiers in Psychology, 13, 889270. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2022.889270
Living Positive on Purpose 