Climbing the corporate ladder is stale.
...when climbing feels more like circling
Climbing the corporate ladder is not the flex it used to be.
The politics are recycled. The budgets shrink. The layoffs feel like a quarterly ritual. Everyone’s either faking it, phoning it in, or trying to spin a “new” strategy that looks eerily similar to the last one. And if you’re anything like me, you start to wonder…is this it?
For Black leaders especially, the fatigue hits differently. We already carry the unspoken burden of proving ourselves ten times over, navigating bias, and translating our brilliance into corporate-friendly packaging. Once you finally reach the top - or at least high enough where your title carries weight - you realize you’re stuck on autopilot in the same endless cycle of power plays, restructures, and survival games.
And let me tell you, it gets boring.
Not “this meeting could’ve been an email,” boring, but soul-numbing boring. The kind of boredom that makes you question if you’re living in your purpose or just a really expensive hamster wheel.
So, what do you do when the thrill of the climb is gone, and leadership fatigue starts to creep in? You reinvigorate yourself…or risk burning out in silence.
Why Leadership Fatigue Hits Hard
Leadership fatigue isn’t just being tired; it’s a cocktail of disillusionment, pressure, and isolation.
The weight of responsibility never shifts. At the top, you’re still carrying teams, KPIs, and executive egos. The air might be thinner, but the grind is heavier.
The cycles repeat. New fiscal year, new jargon, new “bold” strategy…same politics, same pitfalls, same PowerPoints.
The illusion of freedom. On paper, leadership equals power. In reality, you’re often boxed in by legacy systems, competing priorities, and budgets slashed in the name of efficiency.
The personal tax. For Black leaders, add code-switching, carrying representation on your shoulders, and constantly scanning for the landmines that others never see.
It’s not a weakness to admit the fatigue. It’s wisdom. Because when we don’t name it, it festers, and before you know it, burnout takes root.
Reinvigorating Yourself Without Burning Out
So how do you reset? Here are a few pathways worth considering:
1. Redefine What Success Means Now
The definition of success evolves. What motivated you ten years ago—titles, paychecks, recognition—may not be the same as today. Maybe now it’s impact. Freedom. Creative expression. Ask yourself: What would success look like if I didn’t have to prove anything to anyone?
2. Lean Into Passion Projects
The corporate machine will always demand more, but passion projects feed the parts of us that the boardroom never will. Writing. Mentoring. Building that business idea you’ve been sitting on. Passion projects don’t just add joy-they can open unexpected doors.
3. Shift From Operator to Visionary
Too often, leaders get stuck in execution. Reignite your fire by pulling back into vision. Mentor others. Shape strategy instead of just delivering it. Give yourself permission to step into the role of architect, not just engineer.
4. Experiment With Micro-Shifts
Big pivots aren’t always realistic. Sometimes you just need micro-shifts: say no more often, delegate without guilt, or block two hours a week to explore something creative. Small moves create momentum.
When It’s Time to Pivot
Let’s be real: sometimes, reinvigoration isn’t enough. Sometimes it is time to pivot.
That doesn’t always mean quitting tomorrow. It might mean laying groundwork for a new career path, building your business on the side, or positioning yourself for a role that excites you again. Leadership fatigue can be the universe’s way of nudging you toward alignment.
For Black leaders especially, pivoting is radical because it says: I deserve more than survival. I deserve joy, freedom, and purpose.
Final Word
The corporate ladder isn’t broken, it’s just repetitive. But you don’t have to climb for the sake of climbing. When fatigue sets in, you owe it to yourself to pause, reflect, and redirect. This season of your life doesn’t have to be about maintaining titles and budgets. It can be about reclaiming your spark, redefining what leadership looks like on your terms, and choosing passion over autopilot.