And even if you’re not their manager, your support could be exactly what helps them pull up before things get worse. The challenge? Knowing what to say. You don’t want to overstep, make it awkward, or get it wrong. So here’s how to check in in a way that’s human, helpful, and respectful.
They’re your star employee. The one you trust. The one everyone leans on. And they might be burning out in silence. In many workplaces, the people who seem the most “together” are often the ones quietly struggling the most. Here’s why.
A belief that you’re not allowed to struggle.
That leaders must be resilient, composed, always calm—even when they’re burning out behind the scenes. But here’s the truth: you’re human first, leader second. And the moment you allow yourself to say, “I’m not doing great right now,” you create space for others to do the same.
Burnout isn’t a buzzword—it’s real, rising, and reshaping the way we think about leadership in Australian workplaces. We know how it shows up: exhaustion, cynicism, poor performance, disengagement. What we talk about less is what happens after. After someone’s hit the wall. After they take leave. After they return, quieter than before.
Why early intervention is the best strategy you’ve got
Burnout doesn’t always arrive with fanfare. It creeps in quietly—behind polite smiles, endless meetings, and “I’m just busy” emails. And by the time someone finally breaks down, checks out, or hands in their resignation? It’s already too late. But what if we could spot it sooner?
Procrastination is a deeply human experience. But in the context of modern work, it can also be costly—impacting performance, engagement, and mental health. For HR Managers and Chief People & Culture Officers, understanding why people procrastinate—and helping them break the cycle—can significantly improve both individual and team outcomes.
Most people don’t fail because they lack ambition. They fail because their habits don’t match their goals. Whether it’s improving team wellbeing, enhancing leadership performance, or increasing focus across the workforce, the real challenge isn’t just setting the goal—it’s sticking to the behaviours that get you there.
Here’s the hard truth: You can’t be your best if you’re always on the brink of burnout. You can’t lead, create, or grow if you’re constantly depleted. So the question isn’t just how do we perform at a high level? It’s: How do we do it in a way that doesn’t cost us our mental health, our relationships, or ourselves? Let’s get into it.
