The Hidden Cost of Over-Functioning: How Leaders’ Inner Wounds Shape the Cultures
Listen on Apple | Listen on Spotify
What happens when the very traits that make women exceptional leaders quietly erode their intimacy, wellbeing, and sustainability? In this episode of The Game Changer, Dr. Sharalyn Payne sits down with Dr. Brittany McGeehan to expose The Powerhouse Paradox—the hidden emotional architecture behind over-functioning, rescuing, and chronic self-reliance among C-suite women.
This is a masterclass on how early life dynamics quietly shape boardroom behavior, relationships, and mental health—and what it takes to break the cycle without dimming your power.
Key Takeaway:
The Powerhouse Paradox explained: Why the same over-capacity, hyper-competence, and self-sufficiency that drive executive success often create exhaustion, relational strain, and emotional isolation.
The Rescuer Reflex: How high-performing women unconsciously over-give, over-fix, and over-function—and why it sabotages both leadership effectiveness and intimacy.
Trauma-driven excellence: Over-functioning isn’t always ambition—it’s often a survival strategy learned early and rewarded professionally.
The receiving gap: Why “letting it be easy” feels unsafe for high-capacity women—and the first practical step toward rewiring that pattern.
Parallel process revealed: How unresolved personal wounds replicate themselves in business decisions, team dynamics, and partnership choices—until consciously interrupted.
Resources & Mentions
Download the Game Changer Leadership Collection
Subscribe to the Ultra Influential Newsletter
Follow Dr. Sharalyn
Connect on LinkedIn: Dr. Sharalyn
Connect on Instagram: Dr. Sharalyn
Follow Dr. Brittany
Free Resource: Self Trust in Leadership Assessment
Website: Dr. Brittany McGeehan
Call to Action
If this episode challenged how you lead change, share it with the leaders and game changers in your network,
Don’t forget to subscribe to The Game Changer with Dr. Sharalyn on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform.
For consulting inquiries, speaking engagements, or to bring Dr. Payne into your organization email leadership@smpistrategies.com.
NOW ACCEPTING CLIENTS
Inside The Spotlighting Strategic Opportunities Lab:
You’ll receive exactly what’s needed to accelerate your influence, expand your authority, elevate your presence, and multiply your impact—faster than you thought possible.
You’ll zero in on the pivotal opportunities that matter most for where you are right now—and where you want to go next.
You will NOT be bogged down with theory, generic frameworks, or irrelevant advice. Every insight is precise, actionable, and tailored—designed to help you spot opportunities others miss, seize them with confidence, and translate them into measurable impact and long-term success.