Why High Achievers Still Feel Empty Despite Career Success

Svea von Hehn, a psychologist with a doctorate, has spent years studying workplace well-being and happiness. While running her own consulting firm, she has noticed a troubling pattern—many high-achieving professionals feel deeply unfulfilled despite their success. Von Hehn first worked as an engagement manager for McKinsey in Dubai. Fourteen years ago, she left to establish her own firm, Return on Meaning, which advises international corporations and senior executives.

Beyond her consulting work, she teaches mindfulness to students and faculty at a Berlin primary school. Over time, she has observed that even those with prestigious careers often struggle with dissatisfaction. Her insights suggest that professional achievement alone does not guarantee happiness. Instead, she focuses on helping individuals and organisations find deeper purpose in their work.

Through Return on Meaning, von Hehn continues to work with global companies and leaders. Her dual role as a consultant and mindfulness educator highlights the growing need for balance between career success and personal well-being. The demand for her expertise reflects wider concerns about fulfilment in modern workplaces.