EP. 123: Leading While Running on Empty: Strategies for Sustainable Leadership
Wed Feb 04 2026
Burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s often the result of misaligned values, poor boundaries, and leaders who don’t realize they’re running on empty.
In this episode, Dr. Andrea Coyle, Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer at SE Healthcare, shares her personal journey through burnout, describing how constant organizational change and exclusion from leadership spaces eroded her sense of value and initially led her to misinterpret warning signs like cynicism and exhaustion. She explains the concept of “humility through acceptance,” highlighting how asking for help, setting boundaries, and improving communication can break the cycle of burnout. Andrea also offers practical strategies for presence, stress management, and habit-building, including slowing down, creating supportive systems, and cultivating self-awareness. She emphasizes that leaders experience burnout alongside frontline clinicians and that fostering a culture of awareness is essential for sustainable healthcare leadership.
Tune in and learn how to recognize burnout early, realign with your values, and build habits that support long-term resilience!
About Andrea Coyle:
Andrea Coyle, DNP, MHA, NEBC, is a seasoned healthcare executive, innovation leader, and inspirational speaker based in Charleston, South Carolina. Currently serving as Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer at SE Healthcare, she leads strategic initiatives that elevate quality of care, patient satisfaction, nurse engagement, and provider well-being. A 2019 DAISY Nurse Leader Honoree, Andrea is widely recognized for her leadership acumen and ability to drive meaningful change across complex healthcare systems. She brings nearly two decades of experience from the Medical University of South Carolina, where she directed Professional Excellence and Magnet Programs, and she continues her global impact as owner and consultant at Overseas Nursing Excellence (O.N.E.). Passionate about developing people, Andrea coaches and mentors emerging leaders to overcome barriers, accelerate career growth, and lead with clarity and purpose. She is also the creator and host of The Shift with Dr. Andrea Coyle podcast, where she explores modern leadership in healthcare.
What You’ll Learn In This Episode:
Burnout manifests as cynicism, exhaustion, and loss of self-efficacy long before individuals recognize it.
Many leaders mistake burnout symptoms for personal failure rather than systemic strain.
Misalignment between a leader’s values and an organization’s erodes motivation and well-being over time.
Awareness and naming burnout is the first step toward meaningful intervention and change.
Leaders who hide burnout perpetuate unhealthy cultures and block early opportunities for support.
Links & Resources:
Connect with and follow Andrea Coyle on LinkedIn.
Follow SE Healthcare on LinkedIn and visit their website!
Listen to The Shift with Dr. Andrea Coyle podcast here.
Listen to Renee’s interview on The Shift podcast here.
Call Andrea directly at +1 (843) 478-1135.
Email Andrea directly here.
Check out the 33 Scripts Guide to Address Disruptive Behaviour here!
Buy Renee Thompson’s book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility here!
Grab a copy of Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! here.
Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!
Have a question for Renee?
Email us at wecare@healthyworkforceinstitute.com to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!
Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.
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Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.
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Burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s often the result of misaligned values, poor boundaries, and leaders who don’t realize they’re running on empty. In this episode, Dr. Andrea Coyle, Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer at SE Healthcare, shares her personal journey through burnout, describing how constant organizational change and exclusion from leadership spaces eroded her sense of value and initially led her to misinterpret warning signs like cynicism and exhaustion. She explains the concept of “humility through acceptance,” highlighting how asking for help, setting boundaries, and improving communication can break the cycle of burnout. Andrea also offers practical strategies for presence, stress management, and habit-building, including slowing down, creating supportive systems, and cultivating self-awareness. She emphasizes that leaders experience burnout alongside frontline clinicians and that fostering a culture of awareness is essential for sustainable healthcare leadership. Tune in and learn how to recognize burnout early, realign with your values, and build habits that support long-term resilience! About Andrea Coyle: Andrea Coyle, DNP, MHA, NEBC, is a seasoned healthcare executive, innovation leader, and inspirational speaker based in Charleston, South Carolina. Currently serving as Chief Clinical and Innovation Officer at SE Healthcare, she leads strategic initiatives that elevate quality of care, patient satisfaction, nurse engagement, and provider well-being. A 2019 DAISY Nurse Leader Honoree, Andrea is widely recognized for her leadership acumen and ability to drive meaningful change across complex healthcare systems. She brings nearly two decades of experience from the Medical University of South Carolina, where she directed Professional Excellence and Magnet Programs, and she continues her global impact as owner and consultant at Overseas Nursing Excellence (O.N.E.). Passionate about developing people, Andrea coaches and mentors emerging leaders to overcome barriers, accelerate career growth, and lead with clarity and purpose. She is also the creator and host of The Shift with Dr. Andrea Coyle podcast, where she explores modern leadership in healthcare. What You’ll Learn In This Episode: Burnout manifests as cynicism, exhaustion, and loss of self-efficacy long before individuals recognize it. Many leaders mistake burnout symptoms for personal failure rather than systemic strain. Misalignment between a leader’s values and an organization’s erodes motivation and well-being over time. Awareness and naming burnout is the first step toward meaningful intervention and change. Leaders who hide burnout perpetuate unhealthy cultures and block early opportunities for support. Links & Resources: Connect with and follow Andrea Coyle on LinkedIn. Follow SE Healthcare on LinkedIn and visit their website! Listen to The Shift with Dr. Andrea Coyle podcast here. Listen to Renee’s interview on The Shift podcast here. Call Andrea directly at +1 (843) 478-1135. Email Andrea directly here. Check out the 33 Scripts Guide to Address Disruptive Behaviour here! Buy Renee Thompson’s book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility here! Grab a copy of Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! here. Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here! Have a question for Renee? Email us at wecare@healthyworkforceinstitute.com to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode! Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases. Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.