Burnout Prevents Half of CFOs in Spain from Making Decisions.

Financial leaders in Spain are facing alarming levels of stress and burnout, according to a recent report by Pleo. This study, titled “The Power of Better Business Decisions,” reveals that 53% of Spanish executives have experienced stress when making high-level decisions, positioning Spain as the most affected country in Europe. The report also highlights that 29% of respondents associate burnout with decision-making blocks, and 30% express the need for “mental space” to work effectively—double the figure recorded in the United Kingdom, where only 14% share this concern.

The constant pressure these professionals face not only impacts their individual well-being but also threatens the competitiveness of their organizations. Forty percent of executives report experiences of “decision freeze,” leading to project standstills and delays in execution, which can result in significant revenue losses and a decline in investor confidence.

Søren Lønning, CFO of Pleo, emphasizes that technology can be a crucial ally in reducing operational burdens and providing financial leaders with the time and clarity needed to make strategic decisions. He highlights that decision-making in this area is both a technical and human challenge, stressing the imperative need to create conditions that enable executives to decide with confidence and clarity.

The situation for financial leaders in Spain is especially delicate. Fifty percent admit that they often question their decisions after making them, and 40% have experienced blocks in the past year, creating personal strain that directly impacts business competitiveness. The main identified risks include revenue loss, decreased trust among investors, and stagnation in business growth.

In light of this scenario, it is crucial to empower financial professionals to act as agents of change, equipping them with access to clear information and tools that alleviate their operational burdens. Well-informed teams with confidence in their data can make more secure decisions, providing the resilience necessary to guide their organizations toward sustainable growth in an increasingly volatile economic environment.