Burnout is a controversial topic, often debated in corporate circles. Some dismiss it as a lack of resilience, while others recognise it as a very real and dangerous condition. For me, burnout is sobering—both as an individual who has experienced it and as a manager responsible for the well-being of my team.

2024 was a year of challenges in my current role. A new boss arrived, eager to make his mark. When that new boss is young, ambitious, and determined to impress, it can be a recipe for disaster.

The Fast-Track to Burnout

In late 2023, my company hired my now-former boss, someone with an exceptional CV and experience at several prestigious firms. He arrived like a whirlwind, promptly setting out to leave his stamp on the organisation.

For me, this wasn’t a huge concern at first. I had been in my role for over two years, leading a stable team with a clear vision and roadmap for the year ahead. But other teams under his leadership weren’t in the same position. What unfolded was far from pretty.

When you are highly driven, it can be difficult to accept that not everyone shares your level of intensity or experience. If you’re ambitious, you see change as an opportunity for growth. Nevertheless, if not managed correctly, it can also become a dangerous mix.

What I saw was individuals—especially those with less experience—pushing themselves beyond their limits. The result? An environment filled with stress, exhaustion, and, eventually, breakdowns. It became a culture of sick notes, tears, and a blame game that no one was winning.

The Breaking Point

To me, burnout is a very real danger in corporate life. Every company wants to maximize output, but there’s always a limit. Late nights and weekend work can only be sustained for so long before things start to collapse.

At first, I thought I had things under control. I believed I had a strong grasp of how my team was coping. But then—BANG. One day, a junior member of the wider team had a total breakdown in the office.

It hit me like a bus.

I felt responsible. I was horrified that I hadn’t seen it coming. She had been working on my roadmap, and I couldn’t shake the feeling that I had failed her. She was signed off for a month, and while she recovered, I was left to think.

From that moment, my mentality changed. I became hyper-focused on my team’s mood, attitude, and workload. Gone was the need to meet unrealistic deadlines handed down from above. Instead, I started pushing back.

The Power of Saying No

At first, my boss didn’t understand the damage he had done. He kept demanding more. But within weeks, he had decided to leave, accepting a new job in another country. His head was already elsewhere, and for the first time, he began to see the impact of his leadership style.

Our next one-to-one was unlike any conversation we had before. For the first time, he openly admitted how bad things had gotten in other teams. I was horrified. I decided that if no one else would tell him the truth, I would.

I told him straight: You are not a leader if you burn people out in pursuit of your own success.

I could tell it shook him. He had been so focused on driving results that he hadn’t realized the wreckage he was leaving behind.

With him leaving, I had an opportunity—but my analogy for the situation was simple: I was handed a plate with the jelly already sliding off.

My first action? Shut down every non-critical project. I told stakeholders no. I focused entirely on stabilizing the team.

Preventing Burnout: What I’ve Changed

After witnessing firsthand the damage burnout can cause, I’ve put mandatory rules in place for my team to help reduce the risk:

• Daily lunch breaks: Everyone must take an hour away from their screen every day—no eating at desks, no working through lunch.

• No late Fridays: Everyone finishes on time on Fridays. No last-minute meetings, no emails, no “just one more thing.”

• Workload monitoring: I check in regularly to make sure no one is overwhelmed and that we’re prioritizing tasks effectively.

The Remote Work Trap

Remote work has plenty of benefits, but it also makes burnout easier to slip into.

Without a clear divide between work and home life, it’s easy to keep working beyond typical hours, answering emails late into the night or logging on early to “get ahead.”

I’ve learned that creating a clear shut-off routine is crucial. Whether it’s closing the laptop, taking a walk, or setting an out-of-office notification, you need something to signal the end of the workday—otherwise, it’s too easy to get drawn back in.

The Role of Organizations

Companies need to be very aware of how much they are pushing their teams. Unrealistic deadlines, constant pressure, and a “more is never enough” culture will eventually break people.

Leadership needs to take a realistic approach to timelines and expectations. If the only way to meet a target is by overloading the team, then the target is flawed.

My Personal Breaking Point

Recognizing burnout in others is one thing—but acknowledging it in yourself is another.

I thought I was managing everything well until I had my own moment. It was late 2024, and I had been invited to speak at a conference about everything my team had achieved that year.

I’ve always been more introverted, and public speaking stresses me out. But I got through it, feeling an immense sense of relief afterward. Then, as I returned to my hotel room, it hit me like a freight train. The past six months came crashing down on me.

I broke down.

I traveled home the next day, putting it out of my mind until my partner—who knows me better than anyone—commented on how quiet I had been.

And then—wham.

Another meltdown. I was mentally and physically exhausted. My partner, who isn’t the most emotional or affectionate person, was visibly concerned. That was the wake-up call.

The advantage of remote work meant I could process everything privately without raising red flags at work. I took a huge step back for a few weeks, gradually feeling better. But now, I truly understood my limits.

The Positive Side of Burnout

While burnout is far from ideal, if there’s one positive to take from it, it’s this: you learn your limits.

Before this experience, I thought I could take on anything. Now, I recognize the warning signs. I know when I’m getting close to burnout, and I take action before I reach the breaking point.

More importantly, I use this awareness to protect my team. Their mental health and well-being come first—because at the end of the day, no project, no deadline, and no corporate goal is worth burning out for.

Final Thought: Burnout is Real

Sometimes, you don’t realize you’re burnt out until you’ve already broken down. It creeps up on you. It disguises itself as ambition, drive, and determination. But there’s always a tipping point.

So, if you’re feeling exhausted, overwhelmed, or on edge—take a step back. Learn to say no. Set boundaries. Because no job is worth sacrificing your well-being.