Sharing Personal Mental Health Stories As A Leader

I’ve tried committing suicide twice. I’ve had a panic attack in front of a big client. I suffered a mini stroke when I was 32. I say all of this because they are still a part of who I am as a person. Not something from my past that needs to be shoved into a box and locked away. We’re humans first. Professionals second. And because of that, we must take mental health seriously as individuals and employers. Things that will help: • Make getting help very easy for everyone • Create an environment where it feels safe to talk about tough stuff • Understand that leading with empathy is good for business • Prioritize yourself in order to deliver more to others Remember: When we’re better humans, we’re better professionals… Not the other way around. 🐝 P.S. May is Mental Health Awareness month. I am making a commitment that most of my posts will be focused on this topic to help reduce the stigma around mental health. #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness

A Manager Told Me ‘I Don’t Care About Your Personal Problems’—Here’s How I Changed the Culture Years ago, a manager told me something I’ll never forget: “I don’t care about your personal problems; they’re not my concern as long as you get the work done.” Those words hit me hard. As a Marine, I learned that leadership isn’t just about getting the job done—it’s about leading the whole person. 💥Did you know 57% of employees say they’d be more productive if their leaders genuinely cared about their well-being? The workplace isn’t just about tasks; it’s about people. Here’s how I’m changing the mentality: 👉 Empathy Over Efficiency: I prioritize understanding my team’s struggles, knowing that a supportive environment leads to higher performance and loyalty. Productivity comes naturally when people feel valued. 👉 Flexible Work Solutions: Life happens, and rigid policies only add stress. By offering flexible work arrangements, I give my team the space to balance their personal lives with their professional responsibilities. 👉 Mental Health Support: We provide mental health resources and promote open dialogue about challenges, reducing the stigma and creating a culture where it’s okay to not be okay. 👉 Celebrating Small Wins: Recognizing achievements, no matter how small, boosts morale. It’s a reminder that their efforts are appreciated beyond just hitting targets. 👉 Lead by Example: I share my own experiences, showing that even leaders have personal challenges. Authenticity builds trust and sets the tone for a transparent work culture. Being a leader means more than managing tasks; it means managing hearts and minds. Let’s build environments where humans aren’t treated like robots but as the valuable, whole individuals they are. #Leadership #EmpathyInAction #WorkCulture #EmployeeWellbeing #MarineLeadership #AIandAutomation

A few years ago, I found myself crying while staring at the ceiling of a random hotel room. I was on the road, leading StoneAge through a major transition, juggling nonstop meetings, preparing to give a keynote, and pretending I was fine. But I wasn’t. I was exhausted. Resentful. Questioning everything. And I was spinning. That moment changed me. It taught me that burnout isn’t weakness; it’s a warning light. It’s our soul whispering (then screaming): This isn’t sustainable. Something has to give. Today, as a CEO, I make it my mission to notice...to look beneath the surface of performance and productivity and ask, How are we really doing? 📊 A recent Mercer study shows that 82% of U.S. workers are at risk of burnout. Let that sink in. If you lead a team, chances are most of them are quietly struggling. So what do we do? We lead differently. We create space for honesty. We model boundaries. We measure success not just in KPIs, but in how people feel when showing up to work each day. At StoneAge, we’ve started implementing well-being check-ins during meetings. We honor personal time. We talk about hard things. Because culture isn’t a poster on the wall; it’s what we do when no one’s watching. 💡 Leadership isn’t about having all the answers. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe to ask for help. If you’re pushing through burnout, you’re not alone. I’ve been there. And if you’re a leader, the most courageous thing you can do today might be to slow down and check in with yourself and your team. Own it. Lead it. Change it. Share your burnout story 👇 #Leadership #BurnoutRecovery #OwnershipMindset #WellbeingAtWork #PeopleFirst