#318 Master Your Inner Game to Avoid Burnout with Klaus Kleinfeld, Former CEO at Alcoa and Siemens

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Sep 1, 2025

Klaus Kleinfeld, an international executive and former CEO of Alcoa and Siemens, dives into the inner game of avoiding burnout in the modern workplace. He shares insightful parallels between elite athletes and professionals, emphasizing energy management over sheer productivity. Practical techniques like compartmentalization and breathing exercises can significantly enhance emotional resilience. Kleinfeld also discusses the importance of aligning personal values with professional goals, advocating for a purpose-driven approach to maximize engagement and productivity.

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INSIGHT

Inner Game Determines Sustainable Success

Sustainable success depends on mastering your inner game: energy and purpose.
Without energy you cannot be successful in business or life.

ADVICE

Treat Energy Like A Fuel Tank

Treat energy like a finite fuel tank and refill it regularly.
Don't keep pushing without replenishing or you'll crash or burn out.

INSIGHT

Business Can Learn From Athletes

Leaders are burning out younger while athletes extend peak performance.
Business can learn energy and recovery techniques from high-performance sports.

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The modern workplace often glorifies constant productivity and hustle culture, but at what cost? More professionals are burning out earlier in their careers, while elite athletes are extending their peak performance years. What can business leaders learn from high-performance sports about energy management and sustainable success? How do you distinguish between your 'inner game'—managing your energy and purpose—and your 'outer game' of business skills and execution? Could simple techniques like compartmentalization, breathing exercises, and finding deeper purpose transform your professional effectiveness? What if the key to avoiding burnout isn't working less, but working differently?

Dr. Klaus Kleinfeld is an international executive, investor, and entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO of K2Elevation, which develops and invests in technology and biotech ventures across Germany, Austria, and the U.S. He serves as Chairman of KONUX and FERNRIDE, sits on the supervisory boards of GreyOrange, Fero Labs, and NEOM, and is an Advisory Partner at EMH Partners. Previously, he was the first CEO of NEOM, where he remains on the board and advises the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on economic development. Earlier in his career, Dr. Kleinfeld was Chairman and CEO of Alcoa/Arconic, leading the company through a major transformation and successful split, and spent two decades at Siemens, ultimately becoming CEO of Siemens AG. He has also served on numerous global boards and advisory councils, including the Brookings Institution, Council on Foreign Relations, and World Economic Forum, and advised U.S. Presidents and international leaders. Born in Bremen, Germany, he holds an MBA from the University of Göttingen, a PhD from the University of Würzburg, and dual U.S.-German citizenship.

In the episode, Richie and Klaus explore the causes of workplace burnout, the parallels between high-performing workers and athletes, the importance of managing energy and purpose, practical techniques for emotional and mental control, the role of downtime in productivity, and strategies for creating a supportive work culture, and much more.

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