The Art Of Being Well

True well-being is built on the harmonious alignment of mind, body, and soul—each essential, interdependent, and vital to a life of health and balance. Robb Report Singapore offers insights into peak mental performance for C-suites as well as curated tools and experiences that restore from within.

- Amos Chin and Haziq Yusof

The C-Suite Spot
Even machines have limits, so what about leaders?

YOU CAN’T HAVE it all. Not limitless time, boundless energy, meteoric success, and perfect balance simultaneously. In today’s high-pressure environment, trade-offs are inevitable. And yet, many C-suite leaders struggle to accept this reality.

Leaders feel obligated to do everything, even things beyond their control,” says Ronina Stevens, PhD, a director and clinical psychologist at The Other Clinic. With towering responsibilities and high-stakes decisions, many chase perfection, disregarding the costs. The result? Burnout, mental fatigue, and at times, even suicidal ideation, adds Jonathan Marshall, PhD, a psychologist and executive coach with Marshall Consulting.

According to Stevens, this relentless drive often begins in childhood. “From a young age, many leaders are taught to achieve: ace the exam, climb the ladder, never fall behind,” she notes. Over time, this morphs into emotional suppression. In adulthood, particularly in senior roles, the pressure to appear composed and unshakable becomes a performance in itself.

The dissonance is striking. “Success doesn’t bring the fulfilment they hoped for,” says Stevens. “It just reveals how disconnected they are from themselves. They’re still the same striving child at heart.”

The modern work landscape exacerbates this. “Long hours, constant demands, and job insecurity amplify the issue,” she continues. Leaders begin to question who they are beyond their job titles. The problem? Striving doesn’t always lead to thriving.