In Episodes 13 and 14 of the Leadership and Wellbeing podcast, Lieutenant General John Frewen shares his extraordinary journey through high-stakes leadership, recovery from burnout, and the power of self-awareness. With more than 40 years of service in the Australian Defence Force (ADF), Lieutenant General Frewen brings a wealth of insight into what it takes to lead under pressure while maintaining physical and psychological health.

From leading multinational operations in Rwanda, the Solomon Islands, and Afghanistan to heading Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, Lieutenant General Frewen has carried immense responsibility. But such roles came at a cost. In Episode 13, he reflects on the personal toll that leadership can take, sharing how burnout affected his wellbeing and decision-making capacity.

Burnout, as defined by the World Health Organization, results from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. It manifests as exhaustion, cynicism, and a sense of reduced effectiveness – and John felt them all.

In Episode 14, we explore how John used self-awareness to rebuild his leadership approach. He reflects on moments when his team had to intervene and tell him to slow down, prompting a deeper understanding of his limits and needs. This humility and openness to feedback became the foundation for lasting change.

John now regularly assesses his capacity and encourages his team to do the same. His commitment to creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up has enhanced not only his effectiveness but also his team’s cohesion and trust.

Throughout his career, John has championed the importance of mental health in high-stress environments. Drawing on the ADF’s model of mandatory psychological check-ins, he likens psychological support to having a personal trainer for your mind. By normalising mental health conversations, leaders can encourage early intervention and build a culture of resilience.

We also discuss the Effort-Recovery Model by Meijman and Mulder (1998), which emphasises the importance of rest after periods of high effort. John now prioritises daily and weekly recovery rituals—whether it’s physical exercise, sleep, or time with family – to recharge his energy and sustain high performance.

These strategies aren’t just for the military. Leaders in any sector can benefit from pausing to reflect, setting boundaries, and supporting the wellbeing of their teams.

Lieutenant General Frewen’s story is a compelling reminder that even the most experienced leaders are vulnerable to burnout. For people like Andrew aiming for board-level performance or Alex focusing on psychological safety, these insights highlight the necessity of wellbeing as a foundation for sustained leadership.

For more, tune in to Episodes 13 and 14 of the Leadership and Wellbeing podcast. Discover how to recover from burnout and lead with renewed clarity and purpose.