Why Are So Many Women in Music Exhausted?

The music industry relies heavily on women doing work that never appears in a job description.

Women aren’t just doing their jobs, a lot of you are also carrying the invisible labour of emotionally holding entire teams together.

• You’re the voice of reason calming tensions backstage

• The leader junior staff pop in your office to ask for guidance

• The one holding teams together after layoffs or restructures

Despite how valuable it is, it’s rarely what women are promoted or paid for.

I’ve coached many experienced women in music who are carrying huge emotional weight. While also trying to lead teams, hit targets, manage artists and navigate a heavily male dominated industry often shaped by ego, politics and who you know.

And I’ve been there myself during my years in music. Navigating this bullshit.

The frustrating part is that this behaviour often gets rewarded socially, but not professionally. Women leaders get praised for being supportive, dependable and emotionally intelligent. The glue that so many rely on.

Meanwhile they’re exhausted.

Women are naturally emotionally intelligent leaders, balancing empathy with business sense. But many don’t realise how much they’re carrying until they hit burnout.

Supportive leadership is a strength, but constantly managing everyone else’s emotions at the expense of your own wellbeing comes at a cost.

So here’s your reminder today:

It’s not your job to carry everybody.

You’re allowed to say no.
You’re allowed to put yourself first.
You’re allowed to need support too.

Ask yourself this week, what is it that I need?

Always in your corner,

Sarah