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

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