The “Who” Mindset: How Women Can Break Free from Overwork & Step Into Equitable Power
By Shawntà Hooks, 2/18/2025
In honor of Women’s History Month, let’s have a real conversation about leadership, burnout, and the invisible workload that keeps women from advancing at the rate they deserve.
In 2023, women held only 10.4% of Fortune 500 CEO roles—a record high, yet still a stark reminder of how far we have to go (Fortune, 2023). Despite making up almost 50% of the workforce, women continue to be disproportionately burdened with non-promotable tasks— administrative duties, DEI committee work, and office housework that do not directly lead to career advancement (Harvard Business Review, 2022).
For ambitious women, especially women of color, the unspoken expectation remains clear: work twice as hard to prove your worth. But what if true leadership wasn’t about doing more—but about thinking differently?
Why a Mindset Shift is Critical for Women Leaders
This is where Dan Sullivan’s concept from his book Who Not How delivers a paradigm shift: instead of asking, How do I get this done? effective leaders ask, Who can help me get this done? The difference? The first leads to burnout. The second leads to expansion, collaboration, and leadership. While Sullivan applies this to entrepreneurship and business efficiency, I’ve found this mindset shift to be especially critical for women leaders navigating systemic barriers to advancement.
Why Women Are Socialized to “Do It All”
The struggle isn’t just corporate—it’s cultural. Many women grew up in households where their brothers were socialized differently. Boys were encouraged to focus on one task at a time, while girls were expected to juggle responsibilities—helping with household tasks, organizing, and filling any free time with more work. Fast forward to the workplace, and this subconscious programming still plays out. Many women feel guilty for resting and tend to overcompensate by taking on more than they need to.
The conditioning runs deep. Think about the classic advertising portrayal of leadership in shows like Mad Men—where powerful men had secretaries, assistants, and networks that allowed them the space to strategize. Meanwhile, women, even when they reach high levels of leadership, often feel pressure to keep doing instead of leading.
The Monet Principle: Making Rest & Work One and the Same
French painter Claude Monet understood something about leadership that many women still struggle with: Rest and work are not opposites—they are interdependent. The story goes that Monet, experiencing artist’s block, decided to lay on a bench in his courtyard, simply observing nature. A nosy neighbor peeked over the fence and remarked, “Ah, Monet, I see you are resting.” Monet replied, “I’m not resting. I’m working.” As he watched the sunlight dance through the trees and listened to the quiet hum of nature around him, something shifted. Inspiration surfaced—not from effort, but from stillness. Suddenly, Monet leapt up and began painting feverishly. The neighbor, seeing his shift in energy, quipped, “Now I see you are working.” Monet responded, “I’m not working. I’m resting.” This is the art of leadership—understanding that thinking is working, pausing is progress, and inspiration comes when we create space for it. Just as Monet’s greatest creative breakthrough emerged from quiet observation, our most powerful ideas and solutions often arise not from relentless effort, but from moments of stillness.
The Brain Hack That Shifts You From How to Who—Mindfulness
Mindfulness isn’t just about stress relief—it’s about rewiring your brain for leadership. Neuroscience shows that intentional stillness activates the prefrontal cortex, improving decisionmaking, innovation, and emotional regulation (American Psychological Association, 2021). Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention on purpose, without judgment. Why does this matter for women leaders? Because the “How” mindset is an autopilot response—a default setting that keeps many women stuck in execution mode instead of strategy mode.
How I Shifted from “Doing It All” to Leading Smarter
For years, I was the definition of a high-achieving doer. Even as I climbed the ranks in leadership, I found myself stuck in the “How” trap—overcommitting, overworking, and constantly proving myself.
It wasn’t until I integrated mindfulness into my decision-making that I realized the real power isn’t in doing—it’s in designing. Instead of asking, How will I make this happen?, I started asking, Who is the best person to execute this? This mirrors the principle that Dan Sullivan describes in Who Not How, but I found it to be especially powerful when combined with mindfulness.
Three Mindfulness-Driven Mindset Hacks to Shift from Doer to Leader
Honor the Pause – Before saying “yes” to any task, take a deep breath and ask: Is this my highest-value contribution? If not, delegate it.
The CEO Mindset Shift – Instead of asking How will I get this done?, ask Who is the best person to make this happen? If a CEO wouldn’t do it, neither should you.
The Golden Hour Rule – Block out one hour a week to do nothing but think and strategize. Thinking is leading. Use this hour for high-level thinking, vision-setting, or problem-solving—without multitasking.
Reclaiming Rest as a Leadership Strategy
For decades, men in leadership have had built-in support systems—assistants, secretaries, and networks—giving them space for big-picture thinking. Women, on the other hand, have been conditioned to manage the details rather than delegate them. But shifting to the “Who” mindset isn’t about working less—it’s about leading smarter. Take Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, who despite being known for her hard work, credits her leadership success to prioritization, delegation, and focusing on the bigger picture (The Atlantic, 2020). The same applies to Ursula Burns, the first Black woman CEO of a Fortune 500 company (Xerox), who famously said, “You have to learn to let go of what you shouldn’t be doing.” Women who embrace this mindset don’t just lighten their workload—they elevate their leadership.
Your Leadership Starts Now
The shift from "doing it all" to "leading it all" begins with one simple question: Who can help me get this done? Let’s change the way we work, find out “who’s” with confidence, and lead with ease
This Women’s History Month, let’s not just celebrate women’s achievements—let’s change the way we work so more women can lead without burnout.
Shawntà Hooks is a leadership and mindfulness expert who helps professionals navigate change, beat burnout, and lead with confidence. A sought-after speaker and corporate facilitator, she blends neuroscience-backed mindfulness with real-world leadership strategies to drive impact. Her upcoming book, Who’s Your Rodney?, explores grit, mindfulness, and leadership—the Detroit way. Connect with her at https://www.shawntahooks.com/ or on LinkedIn @ShawntaSpeaks