By Nicole Dhanraj
Being an imaging leader isn’t just about running a department. It’s about holding everything together.
You’re the go-to person for late-night calls, staff issues, physician demands, and administrative pressures.
You’re expected to be available, responsive, and on top of everything 24/7. But at what cost?
Maybe you feel like you’re running on fumes. Maybe you check emails at midnight. Maybe you’ve had days where you couldn’t even step away for lunch. You tell your staff to take care of themselves, but do you ever take your own advice?
You can’t be an effective leader if you’re exhausted, reactive, and constantly running damage control.
This isn’t about just “self-care.” This is about taking back control of your time, energy and sanity.
The Reality of On-Call Burnout
Burnout for leaders isn’t just about feeling tired – it shows up in different ways. You might find yourself as the first call for every problem, big or small.
You may be constantly firefighting instead of focusing on strategic improvements. Perhaps you’re stretched so thin that personal time feels like a luxury.
You may even feel guilty stepping away, even when you desperately need to.
You’re not alone. Many imaging leaders feel trapped in a cycle of overwork, fearing that if they unplug, everything will fall apart. But the truth is, it won’t. And you need to start leading in a way that’s sustainable for you and your team.
Here are some strategies to unplug without guilt:
- Set a Personal No-Call Window and Enforce It: You don’t need to be available every second. If you don’t set boundaries, your team won’t either. Set a two-hour window daily where you are completely unreachable, except for true emergencies. Communicate this clearly to your team so they understand that this is your recharge time. Delegate smaller issues so that others can step in when needed. I did this and saw a 25% drop in after-hours calls because staff learned to handle non-urgent problems independently.
- Stop Micromanaging and Coach Your Team Instead: Your job isn’t to solve every single problem – it’s to lead a team that can handle things without you. When someone comes to you with a problem, ask them first, “What do you think we should do?” Encourage your team to think critically rather than defaulting to you for answers. Empower a second-in-command so you’re not the only decision-maker. Leaders who shift from problem-solver to mentor build stronger teams and reclaim their time in the process.
- Treat Your Time Off as Sacred: Would you expect your techs to work 14 days straight with no break? Then why do you hold yourself to that standard? When you’re off, you’re off. No emails, no “just checking in.” Train your team to handle daily decisions without you. If necessary, start with baby steps – take a half-day off without checking your phone and build from there.
An imaging director who was fully unplugged during a vacation later admitted, “I was terrified to step away, but when I came back, nothing had fallen apart. It was all in my head.”
- Push Back on Unrealistic Expectations: Sometimes, the real pressure comes from above. Admins expect more productivity with fewer resources, leaving you stuck in the middle. Use data to set boundaries. Instead of saying, “We can’t do this,” show them why with staffing ratios, patient load trends, and overtime costs. Offer solutions, such as automation tools or adjusted workflows. Document everything. If leadership won’t listen, having a record of workload data can protect you and your department. Leaders who negotiate with facts rather than frustration get taken more seriously.
- Build a Support System: Leadership can be isolating, but trying to handle everything yourself is a fast track to burnout. Find a leadership buddy – I had many – it could be another imaging manager or someone outside your department – to vent to and seek advice from. Join an industry group for fresh perspectives and problem-solving ideas. Hold a monthly leader huddle with your colleagues, even if it’s just 30 minutes, to exchange strategies and support.
Every great leader has a circle of trusted advisors – don’t try to do this solo.
- Lead by Example, Not Exhaustion: Your team is watching you. If they see you running yourself into the ground, always on call, and never taking breaks, they’ll assume that’s what leadership looks like. But if they see you setting boundaries, prioritizing your well-being, and delegating effectively, they’ll follow suit.
You don’t need to be available 24/7 – train your team to manage without you. Set clear boundaries and protect your time so you can lead better.
Negotiate with data and push back on unrealistic demands. Build your network – you don’t have to carry this alone.
Your department needs a leader, not a martyr.
What’s one small change you can make today to reclaim your time and energy?
Nicole Dhanraj, Ph.D., SHRM-SCP, PMP, GPHR, CPSS, CRA, RT(R)(CT)(MR), is an experienced imaging director.
