Leaders Have Better Lives… But Worse Days? Here’s Why That Matters

Reported by: Nurul Addina Azime

Recently, Gallup released an interesting workplace study with a headline that instantly caught my attention:

“Leaders Have Better Lives but Worse Days.

At first glance, it sounds contradictory.

Based on my reading, I found it quite interesting because honestly… It feels very relatable to today’s working environment.

​Usually when we think about leaders or managers, we imagine they have everything under control. Better salary, more flexibility, more experience — basically a “better life.” And according to the article, that part is actually true. Leaders tend to feel more fulfilled and engaged in their work overall.

According to Gallup’s article, “Leaders Have Better Lives but Worse Days”, leaders tend to report higher overall life satisfaction, but also experience more daily stress and worry. This contrast is a useful reminder that leadership comes with both fulfillment and emotional pressure.

I think this reflects an important reality in today’s workplace. Modern leadership should not mean leaders carrying pressure alone while teams work separately around them. Instead, strong workplace cultures are built when support, communication, trust, and accountability are shared across the team.

At 57Network, this is something that strongly reflects our workplace culture and the way we work together as a team. Leadership here is not viewed only through individual performance or authority, but also through shared responsibility, trust, open communication, and continuous growth together.
​
While every role comes with its own responsibilities and challenges, there is also a strong culture of collaboration and support across the company. Team members are encouraged to communicate openly, contribute ideas, help one another during busy periods, and work together towards common goals. This creates an environment where leadership does not feel isolated, and where accountability is shared across the team instead of carried by one person alone.

I believe this is especially important in today’s working environment. Modern leadership should not mean leaders silently carrying pressure while everyone else simply follows instructions. Instead, strong workplace cultures are built when teams support each other, communicate transparently, and grow together through both challenges and successes.

From my experience, even small actions can make a meaningful difference:

• checking in with teammates,
• ​helping each other during busy periods,
• having open discussions,
• and creating a comfortable environment to ask questions or share ideas.

I feel like leadership today is no longer about acting like you know everything. It’s more about how you support your team while growing together with them. 

And honestly, I think that’s what makes a good workplace culture.

Another thing I liked from the article is the reminder that leaders are humans too. Sometimes people focus so much on employee wellbeing that they forget leaders also need support, encouragement, and balance.

In many organisations today, leaders are expected to make decisions quickly, manage responsibilities effectively, support employees emotionally, and maintain performance under pressure — often all at once. While leadership can be rewarding, it can also become overwhelming when the burden is carried individually rather than collectively.

That is why workplace culture matters.

​A healthy and sustainable working environment is not created by leadership alone, but by teams that communicate openly, support one another, and grow together through challenges and successes. Strong leadership is not about having all the answers. It is about creating a culture where people feel comfortable collaborating, contributing ideas, and taking shared responsibility as a team.

At 57Network, this is something that aligns closely with our working culture. Teamwork, communication, and collaboration are consistently encouraged, helping create an environment where people support each other instead of working in isolation. In many ways, this reflects the belief that growth and success are stronger when achieved together.

Building Stronger Workplaces Together

At the end of the day, building a healthy workplace is not only about achieving targets or improving productivity. It is also about creating an environment where people can communicate openly, support one another, and grow together through both challenges and successes.

At 57Network, we believe strong businesses are built through strong teamwork, collaboration, and continuous improvement. As a company that works closely with organisations across different industries, we understand that effective leadership and efficient operations go hand in hand. Through our solutions and support, we aim to help business owners and teams work more efficiently, improve communication, streamline workflows, and create better working environments for long-term growth.

​After reading Gallup’s insights, it serves as a meaningful reminder that leadership should never feel like carrying pressure alone. The strongest workplaces are built when trust, accountability, and support are shared across the entire team.

And perhaps that is something all companies — including us at 57Network — can continue learning, strengthening, and growing together.

If your organisation is looking to improve collaboration, streamline operations, and build a stronger workplace culture, connect with us today at 57Network to explore how we can support your business growth journey.


​References:
Gallup’s article, “Leaders Have Better Lives but Worse Days”