Mental Health in High-Pressure Roles: Breaking the Stigma
By Karry Kleeman
3x SaaS Exited CRO | Board Member | Investor | Advisor | GTM Executive
Success in high-pressure roles often comes at a cost. The long hours, relentless expectations, and constant push for results can take a toll on mental health. Yet, for too long, the conversation around mental well-being in leadership and performance-driven careers has been ignored, stigmatized, or swept under the rug.
It’s time for that to change. Mental health isn’t a weakness—it’s a fundamental part of sustainable success. The best leaders, entrepreneurs, and high achievers understand that managing their well-being isn’t just beneficial for them; it’s essential for their teams and organizations.
The Reality of High-Pressure Roles and Mental Health
From CEOs to sales leaders, from startup founders to top executives, those in high-stakes careers face unique challenges:
- Chronic Stress: The pressure to deliver results leads to constant stress, which, if unmanaged, can result in burnout, anxiety, and physical health issues.
- Isolation: Leadership can be lonely. The weight of decision-making and responsibility often leaves little room for open discussions about personal struggles.
- Perceived Weakness: Many professionals fear that admitting mental health challenges will make them appear weak or incapable, leading to reluctance in seeking help.
- Work-Life Imbalance: The ‘always-on’ culture makes it difficult to disconnect, leading to exhaustion and strained personal relationships.
Acknowledging these challenges is the first step in breaking the stigma and fostering a healthier, more productive professional environment.
Shifting the Mindset: Mental Strength, Not Weakness
The truth is, maintaining strong mental health isn’t a sign of vulnerability—it’s a competitive advantage. Just as we prioritize physical health through exercise and nutrition, mental well-being requires intentional effort. Here’s how:
1. Redefine Success to Include Well-Being
Success isn’t just about revenue, growth, or professional accolades. It’s about sustaining high performance without compromising mental health. Leaders who prioritize well-being tend to make better decisions, inspire stronger teams, and maintain long-term success.
2. Embrace Emotional Intelligence and Self-Awareness
Understanding your own emotions and stress triggers allows you to manage them proactively. Emotional intelligence isn’t just about reading others—it’s about knowing when to step back, recalibrate, and take care of yourself.
3. Normalize Mental Health Conversations in the Workplace
The best leaders create a culture where it’s okay to talk about mental health. Encouraging open discussions, implementing wellness programs, and leading by example set the foundation for a healthier work environment.
4. Set Boundaries and Model Work-Life Balance
If you’re always on, your team will feel pressure to do the same. Demonstrating work-life balance—whether through flexible hours, time off, or simply logging off at a reasonable hour—sets a precedent that productivity and well-being can coexist.
Practical Strategies for Managing Mental Health in High-Stress Careers
Beyond mindset shifts, there are concrete actions professionals can take to manage stress and maintain mental resilience:
1. Leverage Technology for Stress Management
AI-driven wellness apps like Headspace, Calm, and Wysa provide guided meditations, sleep aids, and emotional support, helping high performers integrate mental wellness into their daily routines.
2. Develop a Support Network
Surround yourself with mentors, colleagues, and peers who understand the challenges of high-pressure roles. Whether through executive coaching, mastermind groups, or close personal relationships, having a strong support system makes a difference.
3. Prioritize Physical Health as a Foundation for Mental Resilience
Exercise, sleep, and nutrition play significant roles in mental well-being. High achievers often neglect these basics, but they are non-negotiable for sustained success.
4. Know When to Seek Professional Help
There’s no shame in seeking therapy, counseling, or mental health coaching. Just as we turn to experts for business advice, seeking professional mental health support is a proactive step toward long-term success.
The Future of Leadership: A Balanced Approach
The leaders of tomorrow aren’t the ones who push themselves to the breaking point—they’re the ones who understand that longevity and effectiveness come from balance. Companies that prioritize mental health create more engaged, innovative, and resilient teams.
Throughout my career—whether scaling businesses to multi-million-dollar valuations or leading high-growth teams—I’ve learned that sustainable success isn’t about grinding endlessly. It’s about leading with clarity, energy, and purpose. And that starts with taking care of yourself.
Final Thoughts
Breaking the stigma around mental health in high-pressure roles isn’t just necessary—it’s overdue. The conversation is changing, and the best leaders are those who embrace it.
If you’re in a high-stakes role, ask yourself: Are you prioritizing your mental well-being as much as your business growth? Because the truth is, you can’t have one without the other.
About Karry Kleeman
Karry Kleeman is a seasoned software executive, go-to-market strategist, and revenue leader. He thrives at the intersection of business growth and human connection, blending a sharp instinct for scaling companies with a deep passion for people and a commitment to infusing a human touch into the process. He is known for bringing energy and clarity to organizations—rallying teams around a common mission, driving execution, and creating momentum that fuels growth.
With a career spanning decades in enterprise software, Karry has built and led high-performing revenue organizations from early-stage startups to IPOs and strategic acquisitions. He has played a pivotal role in scaling multiple companies to successful exits, generating well over $1 billion in enterprise value. At LogicGate, he architected a go-to-market strategy that propelled the company from $1M to $50M in ARR. At SpringCM, he led the revenue function through its $270M acquisition by DocuSign. And at Mobius he helped scale the business from $3M to over $100M, culminating in a successful IPO.
Karry’s ability to inspire and energize teams is a core part of his leadership. Just as he commands attention and engagement when performing live music, he brings the same presence and intensity to leading teams—aligning them around a shared vision, setting the pace, and ensuring everyone is moving in rhythm toward ambitious goals. When he’s not driving business growth, you’ll find him performing classic rock hits anywhere he can find a live mic.
