Empower Chief Investment Strategist Marta Norton shares practical tips to avoid burnout
Mar 5, 2025
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Marta Norton, Chief Investment Strategist at Empower and a former high school soccer fanatic, shares her journey from sports to finance. She emphasizes the importance of seizing opportunities despite fears of burnout and the power of specialization and mentorship in leadership. Drawing on her athletic background, she highlights the need for collective momentum in teams and the significance of empowering junior members. Marta also offers practical strategies to overcome burnout while maintaining passion and purpose in professional roles.
Persistence and consistent effort are essential for success, as highlighted by the speaker's challenging journey towards the CFA designation.
Shifting focus from external validation to personal fulfillment can help combat burnout and create a deeper sense of purpose in work.
Deep dives
The Value of Persistence and Grit
Persistence is a crucial element in achieving success, often distinguishing those who excel from those who do not. Drawing from her experiences in sports and professional life, the speaker emphasizes that hard work over sustained periods yields significant results. She references her journey to obtain the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation, noting the challenges and rigorous studying required over three years. This highlights that consistent effort, even in the face of setbacks, is instrumental in reaching one's goals and should be championed over short bursts of hard work.
Burnout and the Right Motivations
Addressing burnout, the speaker reflects on how maintaining the right motivation is essential for long-term engagement. She notes that a shift in focus from personal validation to enjoying the process can help combat feelings of burnout experienced during her athletic career. She advises creating a pros and cons list to evaluate motivations, reinforcing that having a genuine sense of purpose can lead to increased performance and avoidance of regret. This perspective encourages individuals to seek fulfillment in their efforts rather than being driven solely by external expectations.
Empowering Voices in the Workplace
The importance of including diverse perspectives, particularly from junior team members, in discussions is highlighted as a core leadership strategy. By prioritizing input from the least experienced individuals before allowing senior voices to dominate the conversation, the speaker fosters an environment of inclusion and respect. This approach not only empowers younger team members but also ensures that a variety of ideas are considered, enhancing the overall quality of discussions and outcomes. Giving everyone a platform to express their views cultivates a more collaborative and innovative workplace culture.
Leadership Through Hard Work
The speaker asserts that effective leadership is about setting a strong example through hard work rather than coasting on seniority. She shares a personal anecdote about taking on additional responsibilities, such as passing a challenging certification exam while being pregnant, to demonstrate commitment to her team. This action reinforces the idea that leaders should be the hardest working individuals, inspiring their teams to invest equally in their roles. By highlighting that leadership is not about delegating tasks but also about contributing personally, she emphasizes the building of trust and respect within teams.
Ep. 220: Marta described herself as a “maniac about soccer,” but by her senior year of high school, she walked away from the game, a choice she later regretted. Years later, as an accomplished investment strategist, that lingering regret shaped a critical career decision—one that taught her the power of seizing opportunities, even when they feel overwhelming.
Learn why elite leaders step up in defining moments—and how to recognize yours!
Our BONUS RESOURCE for this episode includes Don’s favorite quotes from today’s episode and a reflection question so you can apply today’s insights.
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Special thanks to Anthony Dickinson and Samantha Clark for making this episode possible.
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