Today’s work environment is tough, and being an effective leader takes more than just managing people or hitting targets. Leaders need personal strength, emotional intelligence, and a real focus on mental health. While many organizations talk about looking after the team, they often forget that leaders need support, too. Ignoring this can have serious effects on everyone, especially the leaders.
Leadership roles, particularly in high-stakes fields like emergency services, healthcare, and corporate management, are inherently stressful. Leaders are expected to be the anchors during tough times, providing guidance, making difficult decisions, and supporting those whom they lead. But behind the scenes, many leaders struggle with chronic stress, anxiety, and burnout. The stigma surrounding mental health, coupled with the pressure to appear invulnerable, often prevents leaders from seeking help or prioritizing their well-being.
This is a serious problem. Leaders who ignore their mental health are more likely to burn out, make poor decisions, and even face greater health issues. A leader’s mindset also affects the team’s mood, productivity, and sense of safety. Taking care of your mental health isn’t just for you—it helps your whole team and organization stay strong, enhancing esprit de corps and overall morale of the organization.
Where to Begin?
Self-awareness is a big part of staying well as a leader. Leaders need to look inward and be able to spot the early signs of stress and burnout. This means paying attention to how your body, emotions, and mind affect your work. By honestly checking in with yourself and establishing relationships with those who can regularly check in, you can find your strengths and areas to improve, which helps you build a plan for staying healthy.
From my experience and division chief and CEO of a small wellness business, I’ve seen leaders gain a lot from using self-assessment tools. These tools help you look at things like sleep habits, handling emotions, balancing work and life, and building support systems. By understanding these areas, leaders can make a wellness plan that fits their own needs.
Burnout is a real risk for leaders at all levels. It builds up over time from constant stress, too much work, and feeling worn out. To prevent burnout, leaders need practical ways to manage stress. This could mean practicing mindfulness, staying active, setting boundaries, or just taking time away from work.
The goal is to build a sustainable rhythm of high performance rather than cycles of intense effort followed by collapse. The aim is to maintain a steady pace at work rather than swinging between working too hard and producing nothing. Leaders who manage stress well stay clear-headed, creative, and caring. This helps them not only to feel better but also sets a good example for their teams. Those who cultivate emotional intelligence are better equipped to navigate interpersonal challenges, resolve conflicts, and foster trust.
Self-awareness must come first. Leaders need to notice what sets off their emotions, how they usually react, and how they respond to stress. Then, they can work on skills like listening, showing empathy, and communicating openly—all crucial skills for building strong teams and a healthy workplace.
Leadership by Example
Leadership wellness affects more than just the leader. Leaders shape the atmosphere for their teams. When they put their own mental health first, it encourages others to do the same. This could mean starting wellness programs, supporting mental health days, or just showing by example—taking breaks, asking for help, and being open about challenges. When leaders support a culture of wellness, teams are happier, stay longer, and perform better. This positive effect can change whole organizations, making them more flexible, creative, and people focused.
In my 20 years in the fire service, I’ve witnessed firsthand and struggled myself with the toll that unaddressed mental health issues can take on leaders and their teams. These lessons apply to all leaders, not just first responders. No matter your field, focusing on mental health helps. The tools are similar for most: self-assessment, stress management, emotional intelligence, and building a culture of wellness.
Fire service events and conferences, like FDIC, give leaders a chance to learn, connect, and share ideas. By talking openly about leadership mental health, we can help change how organizations support their leaders. I hope to show others that putting mental health first is a sign of real strength, not weakness. Leaders can shape both their organization’s success and their team’s well-being. When mental health is a core part of leadership, workplaces become more effective, caring, and strong.
What makes great leadership? Simply put, self-care. When leaders prioritize their mental health, they gain what is described as the “elite edge,” which entails clarity, courage, and the ability to truly make a meaningful difference from the top down. In challenging times, remember that the best thing you can give your team is a healthy, empowered, and mentally intelligent you. Take care of your mental health, and you’ll lead with both strength and compassion.
Jason Corthell, BA, FSCEO, CFO, is a division chief for Harris County (TX) Emergency Services District 13 and CEO of Ironclad Wellness. He is a nationally recognized authority in mental health for first responder leadership. As a national conference presenter, author, and business owner, he regularly travels to conferences and organizations to establish effective wellness programs.
Jason brings his subject matter expertise to a variety of settings, including formal consulting, conferences, and academic instruction. Throughout his tenure as an emergency responder, he has won numerous awards, including the Governor’s Star of Texas Award, and was named the 2024 Texas Instructor of the Year. He earned his Bachelor of Arts (Cum Laude) in Emergency Management from Waldorf University and is currently pursuing a Master of Education in Marriage and Family Therapy at Lamar University.
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