S3 EP4: Leader Well-Being Isn’t What You Think

SummaryIn this episode, Dr. Megan Carter sits down with Dr. Bryan Sexton to explore what actually works when it comes to healthcare leader well-being. They break down why burnout conversations don’t cause burnout, how small daily practices outperform big one-time fixes, and how leaders can use data-driven tools to improve their own well-being and their team’s. KeywordsHealthcare leadership, burnout, wellbeing, emotional exhaustion, resilience, self-care, micro practices, Duke wellbeing, leadership development Chaos Whispering Practical TipsCreate space for burnout conversationsTalking about burnout doesn’t cause it—it allows it to surface and begin to healModel self-care as a leaderYour behavior signals what is acceptable (breaks, meals, boundaries)Use “Three Good Things”Daily: write down 3 things that went well to retrain your brain toward positive patternsFocus on consistency over intensitySmall daily practices are more effective than occasional big resets (like vacations)Build “skills, not just relief”Micro practices train your brain long-term, not just provide temporary escapeUse precision well-being toolsAssess your specific needs (burnout, recovery, fulfillment) to choose the right interventionTry the WISER toolSpend 1–2 minutes daily exploring different micro practices to find what works for youPrioritize sleep with the 3-2-1 method3 hours before bed: no food2 hours before bed: no liquids1 hour before bed: no screens, dim lights Connect with our Guest:You can find Dr. Sexton on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wellb/Company website: https://caws.dukehealth.org/toolkit-on-demand/Connect with Dr. Carter:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-megan-carter-dnp-rn-nea-bc/Company Website: https://www.mchcc.netPodcast official website: https://www.mchcc.net/cw-podcast