What to Do When You Feel Stuck as a Leader

Even the best leaders hit a wall.

You start out with vision, energy, and momentum, but somewhere along the way, you find yourself stuck. Motivation dips. Ideas stall. The excitement you once had is replaced with frustration or fatigue. Or, we often hear it in the term “Burnout”.

If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Every leader, no matter how experienced they may be, will go through seasons of stagnation. The good news? Getting stuck doesn’t mean you’ve failed. It means you’re human, and it might be the beginning of a breakthrough.

Recognizing the Signs of Feeling Stuck

Sometimes it’s subtle. Other times, it hits hard. Here are a few common indicators that you might be in a stuck season:

• You dread work that you used to love
  

• You feel like you’re spinning your wheels with little progress
  

• You’ve stopped setting goals, stopped progressing on them, or have no drive to pursue them
  

• You question whether you’re the right person for your role, job, etc.
  

• You feel isolated, discouraged, or just simply burned out

Feeling stuck isn’t a reflection of your competence. It’s a sign that something inside or around you needs to shift.

You’re not alone, even great leaders get stuck sometimes.

I think of Moses, one of the greatest leaders in the Bible, who felt overwhelmed and unsure. In Numbers 11:14 (NLT), he says to God:

“I can’t carry all these people by myself! The load is far too heavy!”

Leadership will stretch you. And like Moses, you might reach a point where the burden feels like too much.

But just like Moses, you don’t have to stay stuck, and you don’t have to carry it alone.

Steps to Take When You Feel Stuck

1. Pause and Reflect

Take time to ask yourself:

• What changed?
  

• What am I avoiding?
  

• What would I be excited to pursue if nothing were holding me back?

Journaling or spending time in prayerful reflection can bring clarity and insight. Sometimes what you need most is space to process.

2. Talk to Someone You Trust

Isolation intensifies the feeling of being stuck. Reach out to a mentor, coach, or friend. Don’t wait until you “figure it out”. Trust and invite others into the process. Honest conversations often unlock new insights.

“Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers.” – Proverbs 11:14, NLT

3. Reconnect with Your Why

Why did you start leading or pursuing the career you’re in initially? What problem were you passionate about solving? Reconnecting with your purpose can reignite the fire that circumstances may have dimmed.

Ask yourself: “What would I do even if I weren’t paid for it?” That question often points back to calling.

4. Set One Small Goal

You don’t need a full five-year plan to move forward… You just need one next step.

• Read one leadership book this month
  

• Reconnect with one person who inspires you
  

• Refresh one habit that helped you thrive before

Small steps rebuild confidence and momentum.

When Feeling Stuck Leads to Growth

Many leaders look back and realize their stuck season was actually a setup for transformation. It forced them to re-evaluate and realign. Then, once they moved forward, they did so with greater clarity and purpose.

Remember: movement doesn’t always mean progress. And stillness doesn’t always mean failure.

Sometimes, the pause is where your deepest growth happens.

Final Thought

If you’re feeling stuck, it doesn’t mean your leadership is over. It may mean something new is about to begin.

Give yourself grace. Ask for help. Take one step. And trust that the One who called you is still writing your story.

Need help getting unstuck? Our 1:1 programs can help you find clarity, direction, and renewed passion. Let me help you get “unstuck”. Learn more at dysonleadership.com/coaching