How to Overcome Compassion Fatigue: 6 Effective Strategies for Conscious Leaders

Empathy can burn out leaders.

If you’re not careful, compassion fatigue sets in.

Great leadership is more than spreadsheets, presentations, and boardroom meetings.

Its about creating sincere human connections, understanding your team, what motivates them and what challenges theyre going through at work and in life.

But theres a downside — absorbing challenges, stresses, and emotions daily. Though commendable, its draining. You can end up feeling like you carry the stress of a dozen people at once.

I can feel a little bit of this every week. Usually on Thursdays I get irritated a little bit quicker. The people around me know. Its impacting them, and I need to do something about it.

Heres how I deal with compassion fatigue:

➡️ Self-awareness – Recognize your feelings. Compassion fatigue isn’t weakness. It’s a sign of genuine empathy. Monitor mood and behavioral changes.

➡️ Dont play the hero – Leaders don’t need to shoulder it all. Share with and rely on your peers.

➡️ Set boundaries – Support doesn’t mean carrying every burden. Know when to delegate or ask for help.

➡️ Avoid 1-on-1 meetings on Fridays – Use your Fridays to reflect on the past week and plan the next.

➡️ Buffer your meetings – I regret not starting this sooner. Dont plan your 1-on-1s back to back. They can run long, and often when they do you need to decompress.

➡️ Prioritize self-care – Make time for things that make you feel great and give you energy. Theyre an outlet for your emotions.

Know this, a leaders strength isnt just in understanding others but also understanding yourself.