A recent headline in The Economist caught my attention:
“More testosterone means higher pay—for some men.”
The research behind the article found an interesting relationship between testosterone and earnings among a specific group of British men. It certainly doesn't mean that taking testosterone will make someone more successful. But it raises a fascinating question:
How much does the way we feel physically affect the way we perform professionally?
Running a business is difficult when you feel great.
Now try doing it when you're exhausted. You're not sleeping. You can't concentrate like you used to. You've lost some of your motivation and drive. Your body is changing despite doing the same things you've always done.
And somewhere along the way, you start telling yourself:
"Maybe I'm just getting older."
For Men, It May Look Like Losing Your Drive
Testosterone levels can decline as men age, and testosterone deficiency can be associated with decreased energy, reduced libido, changes in muscle mass and strength, and other symptoms.
For someone running a company or working in a demanding career, those changes don't occur in isolation. You're still expected to lead, make decisions, manage employees, solve problems, exercise, maintain relationships, and show up again tomorrow.
For Women, the Timing Can Be Remarkable
Women face a different—but equally important—hormonal transition.
Perimenopause and menopause often arrive during the same years when women are reaching the height of their careers.
They may be running businesses, moving into leadership positions, raising children, caring for aging parents, managing households—and suddenly they're doing all of it while experiencing disrupted sleep, hot flashes, fatigue, mood changes, brain fog, or difficulty concentrating.
It's easy to call that burnout.
Sometimes it is.
But sometimes we need to ask whether something else is contributing.
Hormones Aren't the Answer to Everything
Fatigue, poor concentration, low motivation, sleep problems, and changes in physical performance can have many causes. Hormones are only one piece of a much larger health picture.
And hormone therapy isn't appropriate for everyone.
But symptoms that significantly affect how someone feels and functions deserve to be evaluated rather than automatically dismissed as stress or aging.Don't Forget the Person Running the Business
Business owners are remarkably good at optimization.
We analyze expenses. We improve systems. We invest in technology. We develop employees. We study marketing. We measure performance.
But we sometimes neglect the most important asset in the organization:
The person responsible for running it.
Your health affects how you think, sleep, communicate, exercise, handle stress, make decisions, and show up for the people who depend on you.
So perhaps one of the most valuable questions a business owner can ask isn't just:
"How can I make my business perform better?"
It's also:
"How can I make sure I'm functioning at my best?"
Because your business needs you, too.