One of the best conversations I’ve had in a long time occurred during a pro bono assignment. It left me energized and upbeat.

This is often the case when you give of yourself in a manner that supports your values. It’s not work, but rather something that feeds your soul.

When leaders admit that they are tired to the bone of being empathetic, flexible and supportive of their employees—while still shouldering the expectations of board members and/or investors—I think about experiences such as my recent conversation.

It may be counterintuitive, but when you are weary and near burnout, the best strategy to re-energize yourself may be to take an hour or day off to help someone completely unrelated to your normal responsibilities.

Why was this conversation so satisfying to me?

First, it was appreciated and valued differently than by clients who are paying for my services. The interaction felt genuine and pure; there was no transaction involved. I was helping an organization that helps others, so there is a multiplier effect, too.

I have a portion of my world carved out in terms of dollars, resources and time to support three pillars that are vitally important to me; this interaction occupies a space in one of those pillars. It wouldn’t be over the top to say that this is part of a mission for me.

Helping purely to help can provide us with a significant source of energy. It can be life-affirming. It also can be uncomplicated, which can be a welcome respite from a typical leader’s job, filled with complexity and competing demands.

While it is true that some employees need a pep talk more than they need additional empathy, I worry that our world is growing harsher and less empathetic. Yes, it has been a draining couple of years. But the answer is not to feel less or be less understanding. A far better strategy is to seek human relationships that uplift and energize us, and to use them to remind ourselves how we behave at our very best.