Episode 226: Stressed Leaders Stay in the Game with Dan Stecken

Too many school leaders wear burnout like a badge of honor. Dan Stecken was one of them—until he hit a wall. In this episode, Dan, the Superintendent of Seneca Township High School in Illinois, joins Darrin to share his powerful journey from overwhelmed and unhealthy to intentional and empowered.

Dan opens up about the toll leadership took on his health, the fallacy of servant leadership without self-care, and how shifting his mindset—and his habits—changed everything. Together, they discuss the real cost of constantly being “on,” how to stop being the help desk for your team, and the importance of building community and reclaiming purpose.

You’ll also hear about Dan’s book, Stressed Leaders Stay in the Game, and the immersive retreat experience he created to help other leaders shed the weight of burnout and rediscover their why.

In this episode:

• Why servant leadership needs a rewrite
• The myth of inbox zero
• Morning habits that set the tone for better leadership
• Building a leadership community where vulnerability is a superpower
• How Dan is helping leaders stay in the game

👉 Connect with Dan Stecken:

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/dan-stecken

Website: stressedleaders.com

📘 Grab the book: Stressed Leaders: Stay in the Game (Published by Road to Awesome)

🎧 Subscribe to the podcast and leave a review to help other leaders find clarity and purpose on their journey.