Abstract
While the links between wellbeing and performance are well demonstrated,
the topic of CEO wellbeing has received little attention in the research
literature. This study offers insights into how CEOs experience and
recover from a crisis of wellbeing. Three male CEOs from the
professional services industry were interviewed. Three themes emerged
from an interpretative phenomenological analysis of the data: energy
management, increased responsibility and relationships. Results
demonstrate the potential for post-traumatic growth and highlight the
need for updated models of resilience and leadership. Pragmatic elements
were added to the IPA process in order to arrive at suggestions on how
CEOs may better manage and sustain their wellbeing. Implications for the
organisation as well as suggested future research are discussed.