Navigating Burnout: Insights from Corporate Leadership with Carolyn Swora

In this episode, Avery interviews Carolyn Swora, a seasoned corporate leader turned advocate for trauma-informed leadership. Carolyn shares her journey from being an overachieving high achiever to facing burnout and rediscovering balance in her life. From her love for homework in kindergarten to her four degrees and extensive corporate leadership experience, Carolyn's story is one of ambition, perseverance, and ultimately, self-discovery. She delves into the pivotal moments that led to her burnout, including her husband's terminal illness and her relentless pursuit of career goals while neglecting her emotional well-being. Through therapy and emotional literacy, Carolyn began to unravel the layers of her burnout, understanding the importance of vulnerability and self-awareness in leadership and personal growth. Now, as a leadership coach and facilitator, Carolyn helps leaders create nurturing environments where individuals thrive, emphasizing the significance of self-care and emotional wellness in achieving sustainable success.

With over 28 years of corporate leadership experience, Carolyn Swora brings a fresh perspective to mainstream leadership, dedicated to fostering environments where individuals thrive. As an Amazon best-selling author of two transformative books, including "Evolve: The Path to Trauma-Informed Leadership," featured on ABC and NBC, Carolyn has driven significant changes across departments, from sales and marketing to reimbursement and customer service. A Certified Dare to Lead facilitator, she integrates her expertise in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and Human Resource Management into her personal, empowering coaching. Her wealth of experience offers potent solutions to corporate management challenges, optimizing resources for success.

Highlights:

Discussion on High Achievement [02:06 - 05:01]: Avery and Carolyn discuss Carolyn's early identification as a high achiever, tracing back to her enjoyment of learning and academic pursuits. They explore how this trait manifested in her professional and personal life.

Path to Burnout [05:34 - 11:50]: Carolyn shares her experience of facing burnout amidst challenging life circumstances, including her husband's terminal illness and her multiple roles as a caregiver, mother, and high-performing professional.

Recognizing Red Flags [13:08 - 16:56]: The conversation delves into the red flags of burnout that Carolyn and those around her noticed, including emotional disconnection, overcommitment, and physical manifestations of stress.

Recovery Strategies [17:55 - 21:36]: Carolyn discusses her journey towards recovery from burnout, including the role of emotional literacy, cognitive behavioral therapy [CBT], and self-awareness in her healing process.

Balancing High Achievement [23:40 - 26:27]: Carolyn reflects on achieving balance in her life and work, focusing on her current role in leadership development and the importance of self-care for sustainable success.

Links:

Website: carolynswora.com

IG - @carolynswora

TikTok - @carolyn_swora

LI - Carolyn Swora