Editorial
Welcome to Courage Coach, where expert columnist Karin Hurt answers readers' tough leadership challenges with practical tools and techniques you can use right away. Have a question for her? Drop her a line!
Dear Courage Coach,
I knew things were bad when my most optimistic team member — our human golden retriever — slumped into our morning meeting, sighed and muttered, “Well, today was a stupid, time-sucking, day of total frustration.”
We’re drowning. The deadlines keep coming, the requests keep piling up and I can feel the energy draining from the team. People are quieter. Emails are getting shorter. Productivity is slipping.
The worst part? I’m as exhausted as they are. I want to keep everyone motivated, but right now, we’re all running on one-percent battery. How do I rally my team when I barely have the energy to keep going myself?
— Holding It Together (Mostly)
Dear Holding It Together (Mostly),
First, I’m so sorry. It’s hard to lead well when you, and everyone around you, is tired. This isn’t just about motivation, it's about survival. Your team isn’t just tired; they’re approaching burnout, and if you don’t intervene, the next thing you’ll be managing isn’t a project — it’s turnover.
The problem with exhaustion is that it makes everything feel overwhelming. When you’re stuck in that cycle, the thought of one more thing — even something meant to help — can feel like too much. That’s why the solution isn’t to add more to their plate but to help them reset, refocus and reclaim their energy.
Here’s how.
1. Cut Through the Noise: What Actually Matters?
Right now, your team is likely stuck in reaction mode — trying to do everything, everywhere, all at once, at full speed. That’s a straight shot to burnout. You need to help them strategize failure (yes, really).
Try This:
✔️ Rank priorities ruthlessly. If everything is urgent, nothing is. Ask: “What will actually move the needle?”
✔️ Give permission to let things go and say no. Be clear about what doesn’t need to be perfect.
✔️ Push back when needed. If leadership is piling on, advocate for your team.
Powerful Phrase:
“I know we’re stretched thin, so let’s be strategic. What’s one thing we can drop or simplify to free up energy for what matters most?”
2. Protect Your Silent Strugglers
The loudest voices aren’t always the most exhausted. Your high performers — the ones who always say, “I got it” — are often the closest to burnout. They won’t complain. They’ll just quietly take on more... until they can’t.
Try This:
✔️ Check in with individuals — not just the group. Ask: “How’s your workload feeling right now?”
✔️ Normalize saying ‘no.’ If they hesitate, step in: “I see you taking on a lot. What can we adjust?”
✔️ Encourage them to ask for help. And lead by example — delegate where you can.
Powerful Phrase:
“I appreciate how much you take on, but I don’t want you running on empty. What’s one thing we can shift off your plate?”
3. Redesign the Workday for Sanity
When everything feels like chaos, the answer is not more hours, it’s better structure. People need mental breathing room to function at their best.
Try This:
✔️ Declare a “No-Meeting Day.” Give people space to focus without interruptions.
✔️ Shorten meetings. That hour-long check-in? Try 30 minutes. Or 10.
✔️ Introduce “Focus Time.” Block off 90-minute periods where no one can be disturbed.
Powerful Phrase:
“I want us to protect our focus. How can we adjust our workflow so we’re working smarter, not just longer?”
Conference
Oct
20
Gartner IT Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
Conference
Oct
27
Gartner HR Symposium/Xpo Orlando 2025
Register
4. Make Progress Visible, Even When It Feels Slow
One of the biggest energy drains? Feeling like no matter how hard you work, nothing moves forward. When people are exhausted, even small wins can feel invisible. That’s dangerous.
Try This:
✔️ Start meetings with quick wins. Have each person share one thing they accomplished.
✔️ Acknowledge effort, not just results. Even if something’s not finished, recognize the progress.
✔️ Set micro-milestones. Break large projects into smaller, achievable steps.
Powerful Phrase:
“I know things are tough, but I want to take a second to appreciate what we have done. Even small wins matter.”
5. Watch Out for Toxic Positivity
When a team is struggling, it’s tempting to keep saying, “We got this! We’re tough! Let’s push through!” But while optimism is important, false positivity can make things worse. If people feel like their exhaustion is being ignored, they’ll disengage even faster.
Try This:
✔️ Validate their exhaustion. Saying, “I know this is a lot” helps people feel heard.
✔️ Acknowledge what’s hard, then shift to solutions.
✔️ Ask what they need, instead of assuming.
Powerful Phrases to Avoid Toxic Positivity:
❌ “Let’s just stay positive!” → ✅ “I know this is a heavy lift. What support would help the most?”
❌ “We just have to push through!” → ✅ “I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to white-knuckle their way through this. Let’s find a sustainable pace.”
6. Get Ahead of the 'I Quit' Conversation
If your team is burning out, some of them are already job-hunting. The time to check in is before they’re sending out résumés.
Try This:
✔️ Ask directly: “Are you feeling supported?” And then listen to the answer.
✔️ Adjust workloads proactively. Don’t wait for them to ask—by then, it might be too late.
✔️ Advocate for your team. If leadership is pushing too hard, be the buffer.
Powerful Phrase:
👉 “I don’t want anyone to feel like they have to white-knuckle their way through this. What would real support look like for you?”
Final Thought: You Set the Pace
Your team is watching you. If you’re working 12-hour days, answering emails at midnight and treating exhaustion as a badge of honor, they’ll assume that’s the expectation.
Be the leader who models balance. Take breaks. Set boundaries. Protect your own energy — because when you do, you give your team permission to do the same.
And remember: Leadership isn’t about pushing harder — it’s about making it possible for people to do great work without burning out.
You’ve got this.
Read More on Leading During Challenging Times:
- How to Build a Thriving Workforce in 2025 — A motivated, productive and engaged workforce can be yours if you focus on these six areas.
- Change Management When Employees Are Exhausted by Change — If your transformation efforts are meeting with more than the usual headwinds, it might be due to immunity to change, not resistance.
- The Power of Alignment: Fuel Employee Engagement Through Strengths, Purpose and Strategy — In a post-pandemic work environment, aligning employee strengths and purpose is more important than ever to hire, develop and retain employees.
Learn how you can join our contributor community.
