How Time Off Made These Women Better Leaders

Employee burnout is at an all-time high, with 66%, or two-thirds, of the American workforce reporting experiencing burnout, according to a study by Moodle.

Women, who in addition to stressors associated with excessive workloads often also shoulder household/caretaker responsibilities, have been found to experience higher burnout rates than men. 

Lisa Gil-Ventura, a human resource professional and poet/essayist, knows this reality all too well. After experiencing burnout, she decided to join the growing number of working Americans taking a sabbatical. 

“My mental health made the decision for me,” she said, recalling a work-related panic attack that required emergency medical services.

Still, it wasn’t easy.

“Prior to taking the leave, I felt like there was no way I could make that choice, it didn’t even seem like a viable option or possibility,” she said.

For many women of color taking a short break, let alone an extended one, feels like an unrealistic prospect. Systemic and structural barriers in the workplace often lead them to feel they must constantly prove their worth. As a result, taking a sabbatical may not seem like a privilege available to them.

“Impostor syndrome is real,” said Dr. Katiusca Acosta, a pediatrician who took time off in between jobs to rest. “I worried that taking time off for something that by societal standards is not seen as ‘productive’ was ‘proof’ that I wasn’t good enough.”

Many women of color report feeling pressure to be strong, to endure pain, and to push through, even if that comes at the expense of their own well-being.

After taking a sabbatical to escape a toxic workplace, Laura Reyes-Diaz, a principal and academic leader, said she did not know how to rest.

“I found myself trying to fill the time off with things to do,” Katiusca agreed.

Both women had to come to terms with the shame associated with not being at work. 

“It was my first time out of work since the age of 14,” Laura said. “We are conditioned to think we should always be working.”

What helped ease the anxiety was that she knew her value. She said she knew how experienced and passionate she was about her work. 

“I literally couldn’t be more certified and so I leaned on that,” she said. “It turned out to be the best decision I made.”

Research supports this. A Harvard Business Review study found that those who go on sabbatical experience significant, positive changes in their work and life. 

Katiusca credits her time off with the overall improvement of her physical and mental health, Lisa with the launch of her passion and new writing career, and Laura with the biggest gift of all, her son! 

“I also became a better leader,” Laura said.

During her break, she said she reflected on her own toxic behaviors (not setting boundaries, engaging in counter-productive culture, etc.) and is now more proactive about encouraging the people she manages to have honest, solution-focused conversations before conflicts escalate.

Katiusca reported being more in tune with the needs of her patients and medical staff and Lisa said she became better at advocating for herself- a vital skill for any leader. 

For those considering a sabbatical, Katiusca, Laura, and Lisa all have the same advice:  Do it! 

“Pour into yourself. Tap into the parts of yourself that you have lost due to the grind culture.” encourages Lisa.

“The pay, the title, the position, it doesn’t matter,” Laura said. “You will figure it out, you will bounce back”. 

“Be strategic and measured,” Katiusca said. “But above all, do what works for you!”.

While the decision to step away is deeply personal, for many, it also represents something larger. Many women have spent significant portions of their careers fighting for visibility and influence. Choosing to pause on their own terms is part of redefining what leadership looks like.