The Hidden Cost of High Performance: Why Brain Health Is Every Leader’s Business

By: Dana Poul-Graf, Founder & Strategic Thought Partner, Key&Spark

1. What are the top issues global leaders struggle with that impact their wellbeing?

Today’s leaders – and really, most of us – are chronically under-recovered, digitally saturated, and many also emotionally disconnected. This is not because they lack access to tools but because too many workplace cultures still quietly punish slowing down.

Many of us are trained to manage time, but not energy. We rest only when our managers do. Despite a growing focus on "wellbeing initiatives," a surprising number of people still feel pressure to be always available. To give you an example, there are environments where people book holidays only when their boss is away.

We saw this firsthand in our recent Brain Health Masterclass. Sleep deprivation was the most shared struggle, followed closely by trouble disconnecting from digital devices. These are brain-health risks hiding in plain sight.

We also confirmed what many already sense: there's still a stigma around mental health initiatives in many organizations. People tend to turn to them only when things are already going wrong. But when we introduced a brain health and longevity program, nearly every hand in the room went up. The difference? Brain health is proactive, inclusive, and performance-oriented rather than clinical or reactive.

As Gallup's latest State of the Global Workforce report shows, 58% of people globally are struggling. The world is sending us a clear message: it's time to stop glorifying overwork and start building cultures where recovery is not a luxury but a strategic leadership practice.

2. What makes a "healthy brain," and how can we maintain brain health in our everyday lives?

A healthy brain is not just one free of disease. It's one that's optimized for focus, emotional regulation, decision-making, and recovery.

That means balanced neurochemistry, good blood flow, low inflammation, intense sleep cycles, and enough downtime to consolidate ideas and process emotions. In leadership, this translates to fewer reactive decisions and more clarity under pressure.

From ancient Ayurvedic teachings to the latest neuroscience, we've long known that wellbeing is key for us to feel good and sustain our performance and quality of life. However, we rarely apply the knowledge we already possess regarding brain health in schools, homes, or workplaces. That's why my colleague Mike Fuhrmann and I bring brain health to the center of the conversation.

It doesn't have to be complicated. Micro-breaks. Quality sleep. Daily daylight. Breathwork. Movement. Digital boundaries. Nutrition. These are the foundations of sustainable energy and brain health.

One of our Masterclass participants summed it up beautifully:
"We talk about mental health when it's absent. Brain health feels like something I can work on."

Optional quotes for side bars or to break up text: 
"Brain health is the operating system behind how we think, feel, connect, and perform - at work, at home, and in life."
or more visual and metaphoric:
“Think of brain health as the battery behind every app in your life - focus, movement, sleep, mood. When it's charged, everything runs better.”

3. What kind of technology can help with brain health?

Technology should support our biology, not replace it.

That's where tools like NeuroVizr come in. It's a non-invasive neurostimulation device that uses light and sound to guide the brain into states of rest, focus, or creativity. A 12-minute session can feel like a reset. I've used it after a poor night's sleep when I had to do complex strategy work. I went from foggy to focused in under 15 minutes and stayed sharp for hours.

We've seen people use NeuroVizr in all kinds of moments where clarity, focus, creativity or calm was needed, for example:
• After a long-haul or red-eye flight, to reset and re-energize.
• When suffering from insomnia.
• During times of hormonal change or brain fog, to regain focus and emotional balance.
• Before a creative session, a deep conversation, or even planning a family trip—just to get into the right headspace.

We often work 1:1 with clients to help them build daily routines that make space for clarity, sleep, and creativity - NeuroVizr is  only one tool, but the real power lies in creating a rhythm that fits your life.

Other helpful tech includes:
• Wearables like Oura or WHOOP to track recovery
• Apps like Brain.fm, Insight Timer or Calm for relaxation and focus
• Light filters and brainwave sound therapies for circadian alignment

These tools are constantly evolving, and so is our understanding of how to use them most effectively. We're learning alongside our clients what works best for focus, rest, creativity, or recovery.

But let's be clear: these tools don't replace self-care. They activate it.

4. How do these issues particularly impact expats in Czechia? How are companies here responding?

Expats face a unique mix of stressors: language fatigue, bureaucratic tension, timezone juggling, and the challenge of performing in unfamiliar cultural environments.

Many are high achievers, yet they live without the support systems they relied on back home. Some expats do receive help, especially those relocating with their families, through progressive international companies that offer individualized support. However, more often, there is little to no support for family members, who face their invisible adaptation stress. It becomes a quiet pressure cooker.

Here in Czechia, we see many companies offering wellness perks, such as yoga classes, relaxation rooms, and mental health hotlines. However, if people feel judged for using them or if leaders continue to send emails at 9 pm expecting a response, the message becomes: performance matters, but recovery doesn't.

In the most brain-smart environments, we've seen simple but powerful shifts:
• Leaders normalize breaks and boundaries
• Teams using tech tools to support their brain health
• HR partnering with specialists to design brain-centered wellbeing initiatives

The great news? More Czech-based companies, especially those with global teams, are starting to realize that brain health is no fluff. It's core to sustained performance.

"Brain health isn't just a solo pursuit. It becomes sustainable when teams and leaders make it a shared priority."

5. What is the future of brain health and its connection to modern technology?

We are entering the age of proactive neurocare - not reacting to burnout but preventing it by design.

In the workplace, we depend on our brains more than any other organ, but we rarely train or care for them intentionally. That won't last much longer.

We are already seeing organizations start to build workplaces with brain performance in mind, including factors such as lighting, noise levels, transition times, and recovery routines. Soon, neurotech will integrate with AI to help us track cognitive fatigue in real time and gently nudge us back into a state of flow.

NeuroVizr is just one example of a future-forward tool that helps people regain clarity and creativity when they need it most. However, we always remind our clients that technology is not an excuse. It's a catalyst.

We've had the science for decades. What we lack is application. That's why we create awareness around brain health: to turn it into a culture and lifestyle, not just to bring content. That's why Mike and I do this work.

Quick Brain Health Self-Check

Curious how your brain is doing today? Ask yourself:
• Did I sleep at least 7 hours undisturbed last night?
• Do I feel clear-headed and able to focus this morning?
• Have I taken short breaks during the day to reset?
• Have I had movement, daylight, or stillness today?

If you answered "no" to most of these, you're not alone and the good news is, you can start supporting your brain with just a few small shifts.

Want to bring brain-smart culture into your leadership team and help your people feel clearer, calmer, and more creative?
Contact us to host a Brain Health Masterclass or co-create a custom wellbeing activation.

And if you're curious about the NeuroVizr - a simple 12-minute tool to support creativity, sleep, and clarity - Scan the QR code to explore more 

Note: We are not medical doctors and do not provide medical advice. Our work focuses on applying evidence-informed brain health principles in the context of leadership, wellbeing, and workplace culture. We’re always happy to collaborate with medical professionals to help individuals and organizations thrive.