Executive Burnout: Why High Performers Are Running on Empty with David Ko CEO of Calm

Executive burnout doesn’t look like collapse.

It looks like success on the outside and exhaustion underneath.

In our recent conversation with David Ko, CEO of Calm and author of Recharge, we explored the rising epidemic of executive burnout — and why high performers are silently struggling more than ever.

The Hidden Cost of Executive Burnout
According to global research, unchecked mental health costs over a trillion dollars annually in lost productivity. In the U.S. alone, it’s estimated at $44 billion.

But behind those numbers are real people.

Executives reporting:
• 48% feel overwhelmed
• 24% experience anxiety or depression
• Nearly half consider quitting
Executive burnout isn’t about laziness. It’s about sustained output without sustainable recovery.
The Mental Battery Framework

David reframes burnout through a simple question:
“How’s your battery?”
We all understand phone batteries. But most leaders never ask that question about themselves.

When your battery is red:
You snap.
You lose patience.
You multitask poorly.
You operate reactively.
And over time, you normalize it.

Water. Window. Walk.
Instead of complicated systems, David shares a reset framework:
Water — hydration resets physiology
Window — look outside, break visual fixation
Walk — move your body, reset your nervous system
Simple. Practical. Immediate.
Why Sleep Is a Leadership Tool

Many executives treat sleep deprivation as a badge of honor.
But David admits that lack of sleep was silently wrecking his performance.

Sleep quality impacts:
• Emotional regulation
• Decision-making
• Patience
• Creativity
• Long-term health

One shift he made:
No work emails before bed.
No work emails first thing in the morning.

This protects mental state and prevents executive burnout from compounding overnight.
Vulnerability Is Not Weakness

Perhaps the strongest moment in the episode:
Vulnerability builds trust in leadership.

The myth:
“If I open up, I look weak.”

The reality:
If leaders model honesty about mental health, teams work harder — not less.
Men, Mental Health, and Presence
Men often believe conversations must be deep to matter.
But sometimes:
Presence is enough.
Golf trips.
Hikes.
Shared silence.
Laughing.
Men don’t always need to fix each other.
They need to show up.
Executive burnout thrives in isolation.
Connection recharges the battery.
The Future of Leadership
As AI and technology accelerate productivity, energy management becomes the new competitive edge.
The leaders who win won’t be the ones who grind hardest.
They’ll be the ones who recover intentionally.
Executive burnout is preventable.
But only if you respect your battery.
Listen to the full episode with David Ko on Men Talking Mindfulness.