In this powerful episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, executive leadership coach and bestselling author Nicole Bianchi addresses a silent epidemic among high-performing leaders: overfunctioning.

Many mid-level to C-suite executives—especially women in leadership—don’t burn out because they’re incapable. They burn out because they’re highly capable. They step in early, smooth things over, anticipate problems, absorb emotional labor, and carry invisible responsibilities that never appear on their job description. From the outside, it looks like exceptional leadership. On the inside, it feels exhausting, lonely, and unsustainable.

Nicole breaks down:

• What overfunctioning leadership really is—and why most leaders don’t recognize it in themselves
• The subtle signs of leadership burnout before it becomes a crisis
• How emotional labor and invisible work disproportionately impact women leaders
• Why overfunctioning unintentionally prevents teams from rising
• The difference between control-based leadership and sustainable, calm authority
• How to shift from urgency and over-responsibility to clarity, boundaries, and flow

Drawing from her work coaching senior executives in Fortune 500 companies, Nicole explains why nearly 60% of leaders report feeling burned out—and how releasing what isn’t yours to carry can dramatically improve clarity, confidence, decision-making, and team performance.

This episode is an invitation to redefine brave leadership. Because leadership development isn’t about doing more—it’s about choosing one small brave move that brings you back into alignment.

Listeners will walk away with practical insight into preventing burnout, setting leadership boundaries, empowering teams, and leading with steadiness instead of control.

🎁 Bonus Resource: Download the free Over-Functioning Leader Reset Workbook to identify what you're carrying, release what isn't yours, and lead with sustainable courage.

If you’re a mid-level to C-suite leader ready to own your growth, reduce burnout, and build a high-performing, empowered team—this episode is for you.

Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️
🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team
🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks
📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

Find Nicole Bianchi👇
LinkedIn

Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

In this episode of the Small Brave Moves Podcast, Nicole Bianchi is joined by Melissa Hurrington—CFO & VP of Operations at Premier Claims, LinkedIn Top Voice, keynote speaker, and advocate for women in leadership.

Melissa gets real about the unseen work of self-leadership—moving from “performing” to leading authentically. She shares how she traded the polished “CFO costume” for unapologetic authenticity, how she reframed imposter syndrome, set healthy boundaries to beat burnout, and why courage doesn’t come before action—it comes because of it.

We also get candid about emotional regulation, saying no without guilt, and practical ways to pause, reset, and lead with intention.

This episode is perfect for leaders who want actionable strategies to lead bravely, show up authentically, and sustain high performance.

If you’re ready to ditch the mask and lead with truth, heart, and results, this conversation is your catalyst.

Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️
🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team
🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks
📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

Find Nicole Bianchi👇
LinkedIn

Small Brave Mondays Newsletter

In this episode of Small Brave Moves, Nicole Bianchi sits down with Nash Mahupete, President & CEO of QLI, a nationally renowned leader in brain injury and spinal cord injury rehabilitation.

Nash shares his 25-year journey from CNA to CEO, revealing how purpose-driven leadership, mission focused leadership, and a deep passion for people development can transform organizations and lives.

Nash breaks down how QLI’s people-first culture sees and grows every team member, why mission alignment matters more than titles, and how leaders can make brave conversations and role realignment compassionate and effective.

Whether you’re growing as a new manager or steering an organization from the C-Suite this episode is a masterclass in purpose-driven leadership, culture building, and making Small Brave Moves that compound into extraordinary impact.

Follow along with Nash's journey👇
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Work with Nicole Bianchi⬇️
🎤Book Nicole Bianchi as your next keynote speaker
🏅Hire Nicole Bianchi to coach you or your leadership team
🗣️Get certified in the Five Tough Talks
📖Check out Nicole Bianchi's books, often referred to as corporate survival guides, Small Brave Moves and Five Tough Talks

Find Nicole Bianchi👇
LinkedIn

Small Brave Mondays Newsletter