How “superficial acting” drains leaders—and how we break the cycle

It’s Wednesday afternoon, and you’re in the middle of another exhausting day of putting out fires, holding endless meetings, and dealing with personnel issues you wish you didn’t have to deal with. It’s time for your next team meeting, where you’re expected to present a new initiative to cut company costs. You have your own doubts but you need to deliver the message to your team. With your emotional fuel supply low, you can only control feigned enthusiasm as you are peppered with questions about the implications of the new policy. Your lackluster performance fails to inspire or create any real connection, which means Thursday morning comes with you running on empty. With nothing left in your tank, you limp through the day trying to hide your frustration and force a smile when necessary, and the cycle begins all over again.