We were lucky to catch up with Amber Thomas-hutson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Amber, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Looking back, what’s an important lesson you learned at a prior job?
Prior to becoming a business owner, I was a high-achieving corporate leader, trusted with multi-million dollar high-stakes strategies and decisions that impacted hundreds of physicians, advanced practitioners, healthcare teams, and communities.
While I had spent over a decade building high-performing teams and optimizing strategic operations, by 2021, I was barely holding on.
I tried taking vacations, but they didn’t help—I couldn’t relax. Weekends weren’t restful—I was always ‘catching up.’
Every Sunday, I felt the same weight in my chest—a heavy, suffocating dread. The kind that made me anxious and upset, followed by a voice that whispered, “This is the price of success. Push through.”
That voice wasn’t new. I had learned this as “the way” from an early age.
All I knew was the hustle to prove.
So as I achieved more, I kept performing and pushing through exhaustion, convinced that if I just worked harder, I’d finally “belong.”
I truly believed that taking on more than others and maintaining that ever-ready ‘yes’ was the cost of staying at the top.
What I didn’t realize was that I was burned out— and had been burning out for years.
A 20-year healthcare worker and nurse, believe it or not, I didn’t recognize the signs of resentment, intermittent apathy, discouragement, skin breakouts, prediabetes, and exhaustion as burnout.
Just like I had always done—when I felt insecure, overwhelmed, or not enough, constantly striving for external validation and avoiding rejection or disapproval—I tucked in my fear, shoved down my anxiety, and forged forward in the survival identity I’d created years before:
AMBER, THE WOMAN WHO CAN AND WILL DO IT AT ALL COSTS.
I was the fixer. The solution for whatever, whenever. No boundaries. No needs-based rhythms.
The one who would carry your weight and hers, too—not just at work, but at home, and on boards—as a mom, wife, daughter, friend, and devoted community member.
There were tougher times than others. I had been to therapy before, but it didn’t fix it.
And in that moment, I knew I needed something different.
I wasn’t dealing with the past—I was drowning in the now.
I had no clue that coaching was an option. That there was a way to process stress, make high-stakes decisions with confidence, and create new patterns of thinking and being to break the cycle of “overwork → burnout → recover” just enough to do it again.
So I kept going.
Until one February morning in 2021, my body gave out before I did.
I was sitting at my desk, already overwhelmed, scrambling to take a week off because I knew I was at my limit.
My phone rang. It was a request for a dataset. Like everything else, I took it as an emergency.
No questions. Just a reflexive, “Yes.”
I hung up the phone, looked at my screens, and suddenly—
I couldn’t see.
Everything blurred. Everything. I was, for all intents and purposes, blind.
I was terrified.
When my vision finally returned, I broke down in tears. Crying, I called a colleague for help on the request I had just received (yes, that was my first instinct). Then, I called my husband, who told me to call my primary care physician.
The next day, my doctor looked me in the eye and said the words I had never even considered for myself, despite all my experience and all the warning signs:
“Amber, you are burned out. Really bad.”
I had spent my entire career leading individuals and teams through change, navigating crises, and managing complex operations—yet I had no idea how to lead myself through the most critical transition of all.
That realization shifted everything.
Taking a leave of absence, I started questioning how I was living, why I was leading that way, and whether the leadership-life I had built was even sustainable.
I became my own research project and experiment (because there was no way I could remain the same person). I invested my time in developing deep self-awareness, learning more about emotional intelligence and resilience. After digging further and speaking with others, I learned just how many high-achieving women were struggling with the same patterns.
So when I stepped into entrepreneurship, it wasn’t just about leaving something behind.
It was about building something better. As a former cardiac nurse, helping people through challenging times and co-creating personalized ways of thinking and behaving for thriving beyond those times is how I’m wired. This is the work I’m called to do because I care. I’ll always be a “heart nurse.”
How This Lesson Shaped Me as a Business Owner
When I started my own business, I had to unlearn the beliefs and behaviors that led to my burnout and replace them with systems and principles that allowed me to lead from a place of confidence and sustainability.
1. I had to embrace my unique existence, cultivating courage and confidence to honor the person God created me to be.
I had to reconnect with my true self— learning to listen to my own inner guide, that still, small voice I know as Holy Spirit.
For years, I made decisions based on logic and reason, but what disturbed me most was how much fear I had of external expectations and what others would think.
These competing voices and priorities in my head and heart created the majority of my overwhelm. I had no idea how much of my stress was rooted in an underlying addiction to approval.
But true leadership requires cultivating self-trust— not outsourcing confidence to external validation.
I had to learn to trust myself, my values, and my ability to navigate uncertainty— without needing permission or validation from others.
Because as a solopreneur, I quickly realized: if I kept waiting for permission, I’d be waiting forever.
I had to learn to walk in the real meaning of integrity— where my actions, decisions, and leadership were fully aligned with who I was called to be.
2. I had to strengthen my emotional intelligence and resilience.
High-stakes leadership— whether in corporate or entrepreneurship— requires the ability to navigate uncertainty, manage stress effectively, and maintain clarity under pressure.
But for years, I had mistaken emotional suppression for emotional strength.
I had learned to tolerate stress, suppress emotions, go along to get along, and keep moving— no matter how I felt.
What I didn’t realize was that true resilience isn’t about ignoring emotions— it’s about learning to work with them.
I had to develop the self-awareness to recognize what was fueling my stress, the regulation skills to manage pressure without internalizing it, and the confidence to lead from clarity rather than emotional reactivity.
Emotional intelligence isn’t just about handling difficult conversations or understanding others— it’s about understanding yourself well enough to lead effectively in any environment.
Now, I help other leaders build that same emotional agility so they can lead with confidence, clarity, and long-term sustainability— without burning out in the process.
3. Change management and leadership agility aren’t as inherent as people think.
These are learned skills and without them change feels overwhelming and reactionary. Change is perceived as a threat by most people, regardless of title. This leads to survival brain thinking— fight, flight, freeze, or fawn. This is can be detrimental to a business.
When leaders build agility, they anticipate and invite change as an opportunity to maximize growth, innovation, team development, and revenue, while positioning their business for long-term success. Because of their proactivity, leaders and business owners who adopt this concept are often ahead of their competition.
4. I had to redefine success.
No longer was success about grinding until exhaustion or saying “yes” to prove my worth.
Now, success means living and leading in a way that is sustainable, fulfilling, and aligned with my values.
The Most Important Lesson for Leaders and Business Owners
The biggest lesson I learned in all this is the importance of ongoing personal and professional development.
Just like in business, where you regularly evaluate systems, optimize strategies, and refine operations for efficiency and growth— you must do the same with yourself as a leader.
When leaders fail to audit their own mindset, habits, and leadership approach, burnout isn’t just possible— it’s inevitable.
The most successful leaders, whether in corporate or entrepreneurship, are those who:
– Continuously refine their leadership principles, decision-making frameworks, and personal operating systems.
– Prioritize personal mastery as much as business strategy.
– Hardwire habits that promote resilience, clarity, and sustained performance.
– Recognize when to recalibrate, optimize, and seek the right support— before hitting a breaking point.
Leaders who build strong internal systems don’t just create better businesses or teams— they drive transformation, elevate industries, and shape the future of leadership itself.
And the best part is they do it without losing themselves in the process.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I’m Amber Thomas-Hutson, a High-Performance Leadership Coach & Change Strategist dedicated to helping high-achieving leaders and entrepreneurs break free from burnout, approval addiction, and unsustainable leadership habits— so they don’t just excel at what they do, but truly enjoy it.
For over 20 years, I built a career in healthcare leadership, operations strategy, and team performance for one of the largest health systems in the southeast. I excelled at developing high-performing teams, streamlining complex operations, and navigating high-stakes challenges and strategic opportunities.
But behind the scenes, I was trapped in a cycle of overwork, stress, and constant pressure to prove my worth. I pushed through exhaustion, took on more than my share, and ignored every warning sign of burnout— until my body forced me to stop.
That wake-up call led me to a radical shift in how I approached leadership, business, and life.
Through deep research, self-experimentation, and working with world-class coaches, I uncovered the root causes of leadership burnout— not just in myself but in so many high-achievers who unknowingly operate in the same cycle.
What I Do & How I Help Leaders Thrive
Today, as a Certified Leadership Coach & Change Strategist, I help leaders, organizations, and entrepreneurs:
Master Change Management & Leadership Agility so they can lead effectively through uncertainty, navigate transformation with confidence, and stay ahead of disruption
Break Free from Burnout & Approval Addiction so they can build a leadership-life and rhythm that fuels them instead of draining them
Strengthen Decision-Making & Emotional Intelligence so they can make high-impact decisions with clarity, build high-trust teams, reduce decision fatigue, respond with confidence rather than react under pressure, and cultivate resilience
Build Strong Personal and Professional Operating Systems so they can hardwire new personal habits, manage stress, and create a work-life rhythm that feels authentic and rewarding.
Through 1:1 coaching, group programs, and organizational consulting, I work with CEOs, senior executives, entrepreneurs, and high-impact teams who are ready to lead at their highest level— without sacrificing themselves in the process.
I hold a dual Masters in Business and Healthcare Administration and an active ACC credential through the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
What Sets Me Apart?
I’ve Been in the Trenches.
I don’t just teach theory— I’ve led, built, and scaled high-performance teams and operations in high-stakes environments. I know what it means to carry the weight of leadership and build a business, and I know what it takes to do it without burning out.
I Solve the Real Problem:
Most leadership development programs focus on skills and tactics. I focus on the inner work of leadership— helping clients rewire the hidden patterns, mindsets, and habits that keep them stuck.
I Combine Strategy with Deep Personal Development:
Leadership is more than tactics and execution. It’s about who you are becoming in the process. I integrate leadership strategy, emotional intelligence, and personal mastery to create transformational shifts that last.
I Make Success Sustainable:
I help leaders build systems for success that work with their energy, values, and long-term vision, not against them.
As a Certified Christian Leadership & Life Coach, my personal faith and values are grounded in Christian principles. I support those who choose to integrate faith into their leadership while ensuring that all clients, regardless of belief, receive principled strategies to help them lead with clarity, confidence, and integrity. While I make no attempt to proselytize, I believe in transparency and want potential clients to feel confident knowing the foundation of my personal and professional conduct.
What I’m Most Proud Of
Helping leaders conquer burnout, reclaiming their power, agency, and impact.
Watching my clients shift from reactive to strategic leadership and then coaching their own teams to do the same. They don’t just transform themselves— they become leaders who develop and coach other leaders.
Exposing the trap of approval addiction and helping leaders step into their highest potential with clarity, conviction, and confidence.
Serving and mentoring youth to help them become strong individuals and leaders who achieve their highest potential.
Overcoming the shame of becoming a teen mom and seeing that young man become an (active) US Marine.
Being married, for 20 years, and raising beautiful blended family of 6 children.
Showing my children what it looks like to lead, succeed, and thrive on my own terms. They’ve watched me rebuild in a way that’s balanced, healthy, and joyful. This matters more than any title or achievement I’ve ever had.
The Bottom Line
If you’re a high-achieving leader or entrepreneur who feels stuck in a cycle of stress, burnout, or constant pressure to prove yourself, I’ve been there, and I know the way out.
My work is about helping leaders operate at their highest level, create meaningful impact, and build a life, career, and business they truly enjoy while maintaining the most beautiful, authentic version of themselves and the work they’ve been called to do.
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been building and maintaining authentic relationships, especially with those I’ve worked with in the past.
I believe that leadership is personal, and business is built on trust. Many of my clients come through referrals, word-of-mouth, and past professional relationships because they know me, my work ethic, and the results I help leaders and teams achieve. And beyond that, they know I genuinely care.
Rather than treating networking as solely transactional, I prioritize staying connected with people not just to pitch an offer, but to check in, share insights, and add value without expectation. This philosophy of serving first rather than selling first has been a key driver of my business growth and sustainability.
Full transparency, at times, it’s been challenging to trust this approach. But I firmly believe in the principle of seed time and harvest; that when you invest in relationships, generously share knowledge, and help others succeed, growth follows naturally. I’m not afraid to share tools, wisdom, and strategies freely because I know that when people experience the impact of my work, they remember, refer, and return when they’re ready for deeper transformation.
Ultimately, trust, generosity, service, and prayer have been the most powerful forces behind my business growth.
Any advice for managing a team?
While I work primarily as a solopreneur who contracts out services as needed, I am an expert in managing teams.
A thriving team isn’t built on perks or motivational speeches. It’s built on trust, accountability, innovation, and growth.
Whether leading a large organization, a small team, or contracted professionals, the best leaders create an environment where people feel seen, valued, capable, and aligned with a shared vision.
Here’s how to cultivate that kind of culture:
1. Cultivate a High-Trust Environment: Trust is the foundation of high-performing teams. Without it, morale, collaboration, and accountability suffer.
Examples of How to Apply This:
Right Wrongs: Own mistakes, apologize when necessary, and make things right quickly.
Model the Way: Set the tone by consistently demonstrating the behaviors you expect from others.
Extend Trust: Trust first instead of making people “earn it.” High-trust teams move faster, collaborate better, and perform at higher levels.
Encourage Early & Frequent Feedback: Don’t wait for performance reviews to address issues or recognize strengths. Real-time, two-way feedback keeps teams aligned and engaged.
2. Innovate Often— On Purpose: If the only time your team experiences change is during a crisis, it creates resistance. Teams that innovate regularly are more adaptable, resilient, and open to growth.
How to Apply This:
Encourage creative problem-solving and fresh thinking before it’s “needed.” Waiting until change is forced upon you creates panic. Proactive innovation builds confidence.
Make learning and adaptability a cultural norm. Teams that see change as an opportunity rather than a disruption thrive.
Give team members leadership opportunities. Let them spearhead new initiatives. This builds capability and confidence.
Make accountability a standard. Innovation thrives in environments where people own their work, take responsibility, and hold each other to high standards.
3. Listen Actively & Create Buy-In
Morale drops when people feel unheard or unrecognized. Leaders who actively listen, acknowledge contributions, and create space for input foster stronger connections, higher engagement, and better retention.
What you can do:
Listen to understand, not just to respond.
Stay curious and demonstrate empathy. Ask open-ended questions that invite deeper discussion and honest feedback.
Be fully present in conversations. Put the phone down, make eye contact, and engage.
Involve your team in decisions. Buy-in happens when people feel their opinions matter and their contributions impact decision-making. Even when the final decision isn’t theirs, being heard builds commitment.
Recognize and reward efforts publicly. Acknowledging a job well done and honest efforts(even those that may not have resulted in the success) reinforces courage, contribution, and commitment.
4. Invest in Development & Growth: People don’t stay where they feel stagnant. Growth fuels morale, engagement, and retention. Leaders who prioritize development build teams that stay inspired and committed.
Things you can do:
Offer mentorship, coaching, or leadership training. Growth isn’t just about promotions— it’s about expanding capabilities.
Help team members identify and maximize their strengths. Encourage them to take on aligned challenges.
Celebrate and support continuous learning and professional growth. Invest in courses, training, and leadership retreats that challenge, develop, and equip your team for greater impact.
5. Resist the Urge to Hire People Just Like You: Diverse teams drive stronger innovation, problem-solving, and decision-making. Leaders who intentionally build teams with varied perspectives are more adaptable, creative, and resilient.
Intentionally:
Hire for complementary strengths, not just
similarity.
Encourage constructive, healthy debate and multiple perspectives. Psychological safety allows teams to challenge ideas constructively.
Avoid the comfort of an “echo chamber.” Growth happens when leaders welcome different viewpoints and embrace challenges.
Great leaders don’t just manage people— they empower the people they lead to perform at their best. By building trust, fostering accountability, innovating regularly, creating buy-in, and investing in development, leaders create loyal, supportive teams that help their businesses thrive.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.agencygrove.com
- Instagram: @iamcoachamber
- Facebook: Amber Thomas-Hutson
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amber-thomas-hutson
