From Burnout to Breakthrough
How Leaders Are Thriving with High-Performance Coaching
Burnout is no longer the exception — it’s the reality for many professionals in New Zealand’s corporate landscape. Recent research shows that 57% of employees are at high risk of burnout, a sharp rise from just 25% the previous year. Gen Z professionals are particularly vulnerable, with 70% experiencing burnout in the past three months. Clerical workers, office managers, and those in client-facing roles report burnout rates as high as 87.9%. This stress isn’t just a personal struggle; it costs New Zealand's economy billions and contributes to high turnover, low engagement, and declining wellbeing. But burnout doesn’t have to be the end of the story. With the right mindset, strategies, and support, you can transform burnout into a breakthrough — and reignite the passion, purpose, and clarity that first drove your success.
The High-Performance Foundations Program addresses these pressing issues by providing leaders with the tools to manage energy, build confidence, and rediscover the joy in their work. Through clarity, resilience, and intentional action, this program supports teachers in reclaiming their passion and sustaining their impact—because when teachers thrive, students and communities flourish.
I’d like to invite you to have a read of what 2024’s coaching clients have shared of their experience of my High Performance Foundations Program.
All participants in the High-Performance Foundations Program came to coaching feeling stuck, frustrated, and weighed down by challenges that were eroding their effectiveness and well-being. For many, these feelings stemmed from a deep need to get it right and be right the first time. Education is a high-stakes environment where mistakes can have a wide-reaching impact on students, colleagues, and the school community. When the drive for perfection starts to hinder performance and well-being, it becomes what I call problematic perfectionism.
The Struggle
Each of them faced a unique but familiar struggle: the nagging sense of uncertainty about their purpose and direction in their leadership roles. They knew they wanted to make a difference, but the path forward felt clouded, leaving them questioning their abilities and second-guessing their decisions. With so much change on the horizon, they were uncertain as to how they were going to navigate the year effectively. They experienced a nagging uncertainty - even though they are all experienced and successful leaders in their own right.
Their energy levels fluctuated wildly—some days feeling like they could take on the world, and other days barely able to muster the strength to get through the essentials. This inconsistency left them exhausted, making it difficult to sustain their motivation or show up as the leaders they wanted to be. They weren’t just physically tired; they were emotionally drained, caught in a cycle where burnout felt inevitable.
Then, there was the struggle to express their true thoughts and needs. Fear of being judged, misunderstood, or seen as inadequate held them back from honest communication. They hesitated to ask for clarity, set boundaries, or speak up with confidence. This led to resentment, missed opportunities, and a growing sense that they weren’t being authentic in their leadership.
Maintaining focus and managing distractions became another significant hurdle. The constant barrage of tasks, interruptions, and competing priorities left them feeling scattered and ineffective. Despite their best efforts to stay organized, they often pulled in too many directions, never quite finishing what they started. The frustration of feeling perpetually behind only added to their stress.
And perhaps most importantly, they struggled with the confidence to lead with clarity and influence. Doubts about their abilities and fear of making mistakes made it difficult to inspire and guide their teams effectively. Instead of stepping boldly into their roles, they often found themselves holding back, afraid of the spotlight or the weight of responsibility.
These challenges didn’t just impact their professional lives—they seeped into their personal well-being, affecting their relationships, self-worth, and overall happiness. They felt like they were giving everything they had, yet it was never quite enough.
The High-Performance Foundations Program provided the tools, insights, and support they needed to break free from these patterns. By addressing these barriers head-on, they discovered a renewed sense of purpose, consistent energy, and the courage to communicate authentically. They learned to sharpen their focus, manage distractions, and step into their leadership roles with confidence and clarity.
The transformation wasn’t just about improving their work—it was about reclaiming their joy, resilience, and impact in every aspect of their lives.
Real Stories of Transformation: Leaders Who Reclaimed Their Joy and Resilience
The experiences of leaders like Kylie, Megan, and Daniel illustrate how the High-Performance Foundations Program helps overcome the barriers of burnout, doubt, and overwhelm. Their journeys reveal the potential for profound change when teachers are equipped with clarity, energy, courage, productivity strategies, and influence-building skills.
From Overwhelm to Empowerment
Kylie, a dedicated manager, entered the program feeling burdened by uncertainty and self-doubt. Her hesitation to ask for clarification and express her needs held her back from effective leadership. By focusing on clarity and courage, she learned to align her actions with her core values and confidently communicate her expectations.
As a result, Kylie saw a remarkable improvement in her confidence and effectiveness:
Clarity: Improved from 4/10 to 8/10
Courage: Improved from 5/10 to 9/10
Influence: Improved from 5/10 to 9/10
Her transformation didn’t stop at her professional life—she rediscovered a sense of purpose and joy that enriched her personal well-being, benefiting her colleagues and students alike.
Redefining Self-Care and Leadership
Megan, a COO and mother, was trapped in a cycle of exhaustion, believing self-care was a luxury she couldn’t afford. The program helped her recognise that activities like playing netball and setting boundaries were essential for sustaining her energy and resilience.
With tailored strategies for energy management and productivity, Megan shifted her mindset and practices:
Energy: Improved from 4/10 to 7/10
Clarity: Improved from 6/10 to 9/10
Courage: Improved from 6/10 to 9/10
This shift allowed Megan to lead more authentically and effectively, positively influencing her team and enhancing her personal well-being.
From Hesitation to Purposeful Leadership
Daniel felt stuck in a rut, maintaining the status quo without a clear sense of purpose. The High Performance Foundations Program provided him with the tools for self-reflection, assertive communication, and focus. He learned to manage distractions, set boundaries, and lead with intention.
His scores reflect his growth:
Clarity: Improved from 5/10 to 8/10
Energy: Improved from 4/10 to 7/10
Influence: Improved from 5/10 to 9/10
Daniel’s journey is a testament to the power of guided coaching and intentional action in unlocking leadership potential.
The Ripple Effect of Thriving Leaders
These transformations are not isolated successes—they ripple outward to benefit entire organisations. When leaders thrive:
Staff benefit from more engaged and energized teachers.
Colleagues experience improved communication and collaboration.
Organisatinl culture shifts towards resilience, support, and growth.
The High-Performance Foundations Program equips leaders with the tools to sustain their well-being and leadership effectiveness, proving that investing in teachers is an investment in the future of education.
You can download the case studies here if you want to learn more about the journey of these three clients.
Ready to Thrive?
If you see yourself in these stories, know that transformation is possible. You don’t have to navigate these challenges alone. The High-Performance Foundations Program is designed to support you in reclaiming your clarity, energy, and confidence so you can lead with purpose and joy.
There are two ways you can access this support
Individually in the High-Performance Foundations Program.
As a team or in a group in the Leading Forward Program.
If you’re ready to take the next step? Reach out today and discover how you can thrive, inspire, and create meaningful change in your leadership and beyond.
For more information, visit www.tabithaleonard.com or reach out at tab@tabithaleonard.com.
