Why Most Leaders Burn Out

Leadership shouldn’t feel like a constant uphill battle. Yet, most leaders spend too much time working outside their natural strengths, leading to exhaustion, frustration, and disengagement.

The solution? The 70-30 Principle—a proven method to help leaders operate at their best while still growing in critical areas.

This concept, rooted in self-awareness and intentional leadership, aligns perfectly with the 5 Voices System, ensuring that leaders can play to their strengths while addressing their blind spots.

What is the 70-30 Principle?

The 70-30 Principle states that leaders should spend 70% of their time operating in their strengths and only 30% on growth areas.

Here’s why:

Maximizes energy and effectiveness – Leaders perform better when they work in their natural strengths.
Reduces burnout – Constantly working in your weak areas drains mental energy.
Encourages targeted growth – The 30% ensures steady, intentional improvement in key leadership skills.

But the problem is that most leaders do the opposite—spending 70% of their time fixing weaknesses and only 30% using their strengths. That’s a recipe for failure.

How to Apply the 70-30 Principle Using 5 Voices

Each of the 5 Voices has strengths and blind spots. The key is to lean into your strengths (the 70%) while intentionally improving your growth areas (the 30%).

Nurturers (People & Values):

Strengths to maximize: Building trust, creating strong culture, emotional intelligence.
Growth areas to focus on: Speaking up in leadership discussions, strategic thinking.

Creatives (Vision & Innovation):

Strengths to maximize: Big-picture thinking, problem-solving, challenging the status quo.
Growth areas to focus on: Clearly articulating ideas, executing plans.

Guardians (Systems & Process):

Strengths to maximize: Data-driven decision-making, operational efficiency.
Growth areas to focus on: Being open to new ideas, valuing relationships over rules.

Connectors (Collaboration & Influence):

Strengths to maximize: Building relationships, motivating teams, communication.
Growth areas to focus on: Details and follow-through, avoiding overpromising.

Pioneers (Strategy & Results):

Strengths to maximize: Visionary leadership, confident decision-making.
Growth areas to focus on: Listening to diverse perspectives and team empathy.

How to Shift Your Leadership Mindset to 70-30

Audit Your Time – Identify how much of your day is spent in strengths vs. weaknesses.
Delegate or Reassign Tasks – Offload work that pulls you too far outside your strengths.
Create a Leadership Growth Plan – Be intentional about the 30% growth by setting personal development goals.
Use 5 Voices to Guide Your Team – Help your team members also apply the 70-30 rule.