The Cost of Leading Without Margin: And How to Protect Yourself

Today's episode is a little longer than usual—about 35 minutes—because we're going deep on values. This isn't a surface-level conversation. We're doing the work. So grab a coffee, settle in, and let's talk about holding your line.Most leaders think they know their values.Ask them, and they'll give you the corporate version: "Integrity. Innovation. Excellence. Teamwork."But here's the truth: Those aren't values. Those are words on a wall.Your real values aren't what you say in meetings. They're what you do when no one's watching. What you protect when you're exhausted. What you choose when the cost is high.Want to know your real values?Look at your calendar. Look at your budget. Look at the decisions you made under pressure last month.That's what you actually value.In this week's episode, I'm diving into why most leaders can't name their real values, and why that gap between what they say and what they do is costing them everything.Their credibility. Their team's trust. Their own integrity.Because when you don't know your line, you'll break under pressure every time.Talk to me on my LinkedIn

Twenty-five years ago, I woke up one Monday morning and couldn't get out of bed.Not "didn't want to." Couldn't.🧠 My brain wouldn't function. My body wouldn't move. I just lay there, terrified, because everything depended on me.🔥 That's what burnout actually looks like.In this episode, I'm sharing my story: the six months I couldn't function, the collapse nobody understood, and what I learned about leading with margin instead of intensity.Because some of you are on that edge right now. And I don't want you to learn what I learned the hard way.

Every day feels like you're treading water. You wake up with a knot in your stomach because you already know—before you even check your phone—that there are too many things demanding your attention.Your inbox is overflowing. Your calendar is back-to-back. Your team is waiting on decisions. Your boss wants updates. Your clients need responses. Your family wants time you don't have.And somewhere in the back of your mind, there's this nagging voice asking: "What am I even building here? What's the point of all this?"You're exhausted. But you can't stop. Because if you stop, everything falls apart.Sound familiar?Here's what's really happening: You've confused activity with progress.You're busy. You're working too-many-hour weeks. You're responding to every email, attending every meeting, saying yes to every request. You look productive. You feel productive.But at the end of the week, you can't point to anything meaningful that moved forward. You're running hard but getting nowhere.And the worst part? Your team feels it too.They look to you for clarity—and you don't have it. They ask, "What's most important right now?" and you can't give them a straight answer. Because everything feels important. Everything feels urgent.So they're overwhelmed too. And the whole organization is spinning its wheels.The problem isn't that you're not working hard enough. The problem is you don't have a filter.And without a filter, you're going to drown—no matter how hard you swim.Let's dive in.Connect with me on LinkedIn

Shaun's LinkedIn DM me for moreWhen was the last time you had a tune-up—not for your business, but for your life? Most leaders have dashboards for everything except what matters most. In this episode, discover why every leader needs a personal dashboard and how to build one that protects both your success and your sanity.

Shaun's LinkedInEpisode 3 – The Power of Vision in LeadershipMost leaders are running fast, but not always in the right direction. In this episode of The Leadership Boost, Coach Shaun Smit unpacks why vision is the compass of leadership, not just a statement on the wall. Drawing from rugby and executive coaching, he shows how a clear vision aligns teams, reduces overwhelm, and restores momentum.

In rugby, a team without a strategy runs hard… but often in different directions. The same is true in leadership. Without a simple dashboard to guide you, it’s easy to:Chase every urgent demandSpread yourself too thinLose your team’s confidence in the processThat’s why I believe every leader needs a Leadership Dashboard — a one-page “game plan” to keep the focus on what truly matters.LinkedIn

: Why Focusing on 2–3 Priorities Changes EverythingToo many priorities can leave leaders scattered and ineffective. In this episode of The Leadership Boost, Coach Shaun shows why focusing on just 2–3 key areas creates clarity, confidence, and momentum. Learn a simple framework to cut through overwhelm and lead with impact.LinkedIn

After a few years’ break, The Leadership Boost podcast is back — refreshed, refocused, and ready to help you lead with clarity, confidence, and impact. In this opening episode, Coach Shaun Smit shares why he’s relaunching the podcast, what’s changed since the early seasons, and how today’s leaders can thrive in a dynamic, high-pressure environment.Leadership today isn’t about having all the answers — it’s about asking the right questions, aligning your team, and finding your edge when the pressure is on. That’s where the Leadership Dashboard comes in. This practical framework gives executives and senior leaders a clear way to reevaluate and refresh their vision, mission, values, performance, and relationships — not just once, but regularly, as business challenges evolve.In this episode, you’ll discover:Why even experienced leaders need to refresh their clarity in today’s fast-changing environment.The story behind the Leadership Dashboard and how it helps leaders realign their focus.What you can expect from this new season — short, sharp, story-driven episodes with practical takeaways.How rugby and mental toughness lessons translate into leadership under pressure.A preview of the Executive Game Plan Intensive, a focused coaching experience designed to help leaders apply the Dashboard for immediate results.Whether you’re leading a team, guiding an organization, or navigating your own leadership growth, The Leadership Boost is your space to pause, reflect, and strengthen your game plan.🔹 Next Step: If today’s episode resonates with you, connect with Coach Shaun on LinkedIn or learn more about the Executive Game Plan Intensive — your opportunity to gain clarity, sharpen your edge, and lead with renewed confidence.🎙️ Tune in, get inspired, and take your leadership to the next level.www.linkedin.com/in/shaunpsmit

Influence refers to the ability to have an effect or impact on something or someone. It is the power to shape or change the thoughts, feelings, behaviors, or actions of others.

Career development is about taking an active role in managing and advancing your career, rather than simply letting it unfold passively. Your career development leads to greater job satisfaction, increased earning potential, and a sense of fulfillment and purpose. Career development for you as a leader is the ongoing process of managing and advancing your career over time. It means taking intentional steps to define your leadership, improve your skills, and increase your confidence and experience.