Why Women in Leadership Feel Inconsistent (Even When They’re Not)

Why do high-performing women feel inconsistent?

• Cognitive overload from managing multiple responsibilities
• ADHD-related executive function challenges
• Hormonal fluctuations affecting energy and focus
• Invisible labor and constant mental tracking
• Misalignment between productivity advice and real-life capacity

Many high-performing women describe themselves as inconsistent. But when you look closer - that’s not actually what’s happening.

The Misinterpretation Problem

What does “inconsistency” actually mean?
Inconsistency is often perceived as a lack of discipline or follow-through. However, for high-performing women, it usually reflects fluctuating cognitive capacity, energy levels, and mental load - not a lack of capability.

High-achieving women often find themselves caught in a cycle of self-doubt and inconsistency. They may feel as if they are failing to meet their own expectations, leading to frustration and burnout.

The external metrics of success - deadlines met, projects completed, and accolades earned - can paint a picture of stability and achievement. However, internally, many women experience a tumultuous landscape of thoughts and feelings that don’t align with their outward success. This dissonance can lead to the perception of inconsistency, and even failure. 

Self-blame often arises from the societal pressures placed on women to perform flawlessly. When high-performing women feel inconsistent, they may internalise this feeling as a personal failure rather than recognising it as a complex interplay of factors affecting their performance.

In previous discussions, I’ve explored the concept of cognitive load and how it manifests uniquely in women. High-performing women often juggle multiple responsibilities, leading to what can be termed "invisible labor.".

This invisible labor includes tasks that might not be recognized as “work” but contribute significantly to mental strain. High-performing women frequently engage in mental tracking - keeping tabs on to-do lists, emotional well-being, and interpersonal dynamics - all of which can compound cognitive load.

As discussed in my previous blog on hormones, the intersection of hormonal fluctuations and ADHD symptoms can create performance variability.

For many women, particularly those navigating perimenopause, hormonal changes can lead to fluctuations in energy, focus, and mood. This variability can exacerbate feelings of inconsistency, as women may find their productivity levels and motivation shift dramatically throughout their cycle.

Traditional productivity strategies often operate under the assumption that everyone experiences energy and focus in a linear fashion.

These strategies typically emphasize stability and consistency, which can alienate women who experience energy fluctuations due to ADHD symptoms or hormonal changes.

Moreover, much of the conventional advice fails to account for the unique context and cognitive load that high-performing women face, leading to feelings of inadequacy and, if not recognised and managed in time, burnout.

Burnout is an increasingly pressing issue, particularly among high-performing individuals. Recent statistics indicate that 40% of Australian workers report experiencing burnout, with women in leadership roles being particularly vulnerable. According to the 2022 Women in Leadership report, only 17% of executive positions in Australia are held by women, highlighting a significant underrepresentation. This disparity suggests that many women may be silently struggling with the demands placed on them, often feeling isolated in their challenges, and less inclined to speak out, or ask for help. 

Research published by the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) indicates that women in leadership roles often face heightened stress levels, contributing to feelings of inconsistency and burnout. This is compounded by societal expectations and the additional cognitive load they carry. This research makes perfect sense, of you consider that most women in leadership roles are probably in their forties, and fifties, when perimenopause symptoms highly prevalent. 

• Build flexible systems instead of rigid routines
• Track and plan around energy levels
• Reduce cognitive load through delegation
• Align tasks with peak focus times
• Replace pressure-based productivity with sustainable strategies

Reducing cognitive load through delegation and prioritisation can create a more sustainable way of working.

If you’re a high-performing woman in leadership,  navigating ADHD, burnout, or perimenopause, this isn’t a discipline issue - it’s a systems mismatch. 

The way you’re working right now isn’t broken - it’s just not designed for how your brain and body operate.

If you’re ready to change that, you can apply for a 1:1 Clarity Call here:
👉Book Clarity Call

If you want support building a way of working that actually fits you in a group setting, my next small group starts May 22.

👉 Join the group coaching for women waitlist here

For further insights related to this topic, check out my previous blogs linked here:

• ADHD, burnout, and workplace perfectionism
• Cognitive load and mental overwhelm
• Hormones, ADHD, and focus in women

Commonly Asked Questions

Why do I feel overwhelmed even when I’m capable?

Because overwhelm is often a capacity issue, not a capability issue. When cognitive load exceeds what your brain can process, performance drops - even if you’re highly capable.

Is inconsistency a sign of laziness?

No. For women in leadership, inconsistency is more often linked to cognitive load, ADHD, or hormonal fluctuations - not lack of effort.

How do hormones affect productivity?

Hormonal changes, especially during perimenopause, can impact focus, motivation, and energy levels - leading to natural fluctuations in performance.

Is ADHD linked to burnout in women?

Yes. ADHD symptoms can increase sensitivity to cognitive overload, making burnout more likely - especially in high-performing, face paced environments.

How do I know if I need more support? 

If you’re:

• constantly feeling mentally overwhelmed or full
• struggling to start tasks that 
• relying on pressure to perform …it may be time to shift from coping to structured support, and exploring new environmental systems

References

• Australian Bureau of Statistics (2022). “Labour Force, Australia.” Retrieved from ABS.
• Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (2022). “Women’s Health: Burden of Disease in Australia.” Retrieved from AIHW.
• Baddeley, A. (2012). Working memory: Theories, models, and controversies. Annual Review of Psychology, 63, 1–29.
• Barkley, R. A. (2012). Executive functions: What they are, how they work, and why they evolved. Guilford Press.
• Masicampo, E. J., & Baumeister, R. F. (2011). Consider it done! Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 101(4), 667–683.
• Paas, F., Renkl, A., & Sweller, J. (2003). Cognitive load theory. Educational Psychologist, 38(1), 1–4.
• Risko, E. F., & Gilbert, S. J. (2016). Cognitive offloading. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 20(9), 676–688.
• Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257–285.