Managing Burnout For The Motivated: Ensuring There’s Plenty of Runway Left

Burnout is becoming a silent epidemic in modern workplaces. It’s especially concerning for managers, who often find themselves navigating high-pressure environments, juggling performance targets, and living in fear of falling behind or being replaced. Many continue to give their all while silently struggling under the weight of expectations.

The Moment That Changed My Perspective

A number of years ago, I was supporting a large organisation with the rollout of a talent mapping process. As we worked through a box grid to identify future high performers, we landed on a manager who had all the classic signs of potential—highly motivated, consistently delivered, respected at all levels.

Then came a comment I’ll never forget:

“Wow, I didn’t realise they were only in their late 30s. Plenty left in the runway yet!”

It wasn’t just the words—it was the tone. Cold. Detached. Like a market trader assessing livestock.

In that moment, it hit me—this wasn’t talent management, it was asset management. The manager speaking didn’t see people; they saw resources to be used up and replaced. The “runway” analogy stuck with me, and not for good reason.

Why Burnout and Talent Management Are Connected

Managing talent isn’t about wringing every last drop of productivity out of people. It’s about creating sustainable success—for the individual and the business. But in some workplaces, the unspoken rule is: Keep up or get out.

This creates a culture of fear and exhaustion. Managers arrive early, leave late, and log back on after dinner—driven not just by ambition, but by anxiety. They’re not clockwatchers. These are self-motivated, loyal, committed individuals who love their jobs. And yet, they’re running themselves into the ground.

The more they do, the more they’re given. It’s like widening a motorway to ease congestion… only to find it’s just as jammed. Eventually, even the most resilient managers hit a tipping point.

“Let Me Catch Up, Please!”

Here’s the real kicker—most of these managers won’t say a word. Why would they? In their eyes, admitting they’re drowning is the first step to being replaced. There’s a twisted irony in burning out your top performers and then wondering where all the motivation went.

I’ve seen it happen. I’ve coached talented managers who were powering through tasks at lightning speed, only to completely break when the pace became unsustainable. They didn’t need a new role or a time management course—they needed permission to breathe.

The Danger of Misjudging Capability

I once had a manager offer to “prioritise my diary” when I was swamped. It was meant to help. But instead of support, it felt like condescension—an Office-style moment that only added to the pressure. I wasn’t behind because I was inefficient; I was behind because the workload was simply unmanageable.

It’s not always about capability—it’s about capacity. And it’s time more leaders understood that.

Burnout Isn’t Laziness—It’s Overdrive

Let’s clear one thing up. This isn’t about those who coast or dodge effort. This is about the motivated—the ones who care, deliver, and consistently go above and beyond. And when we ignore the early signs of burnout in them, we pay the price: stress claims, disengagement, toxic culture, and turnover.

Creating a healthy, engaging environment doesn’t mean dropping standards. It means recognising when someone needs a breather and making it okay for them to ask.

So What Is Burnout, Really?

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by prolonged stress. It sneaks up on even the best performers.

Here are some common symptoms:

Emotional & Mental Signs

• Chronic fatigue – Even after rest.

• Cynicism or detachment – Feeling disconnected from your work.

• Loss of motivation – That internal fire just isn’t there anymore.

• Irritability – Snapping at minor annoyances.

• Difficulty concentrating – Even simple tasks feel overwhelming.

• Self-doubt – Feeling like nothing you do is good enough.

Physical Signs

• Sleep issues – Too much or too little.

• Frequent illness – Immune system worn down.

• Muscle pain or headaches – Especially in the neck, shoulders, or back.

• Appetite changes – Over or under-eating.

Behavioural Signs

• Withdrawing from others – Isolating yourself.

• Procrastinating – More than usual.

• Decline in performance – Productivity dips despite long hours.

• Unhealthy coping – Turning to food, alcohol, or substances.

If you recognise yourself in these signs, don’t ignore them. Early intervention is key.

Strategies to Restore Your Runway

Here are some practical, real-world strategies to recover from and prevent burnout:

1. Restore Balance

• Set boundaries – Focus on priorities. Talk to your manager about workload openly.

• Take breaks – Don’t spend every moment in reactive mode. Protect deep work time.

• Unplug – No late-night email checks unless it’s life or death.

2. Reconnect with Purpose

• Reflect – What parts of your job matter most to you?

• Celebrate small wins – Progress is progress.

• Step back – Sometimes you need time away (yes, a proper day off!) to come back stronger.

3. Take Care of Your Body

• Prioritise sleep – Get consistent rest.

• Eat well – Swap the caffeine and biscuits for fruit and water.

• Move more – Even a short walk helps clear the fog.

4. Support Your Mental Health

• Talk it out – Speak with someone you trust.

• Journaling – Get those thoughts on paper and out of your head.

5. Rebuild Connection

• Socialise (or don’t) – Choose what recharges you.

• Ask for help – Delegation is a strength, not a weakness.

Final Thoughts: Don’t Let the Runway Run Out

This issue is complex. But we must stop treating people like machines. Burnout doesn’t announce itself with fanfare—it builds slowly and explodes quietly.

As leaders, our job isn’t to squeeze every drop out of our teams. It’s to create space for dialogue, develop mutual understanding, and allow the motivated to stay motivated.

So here’s to smooth takeoffs, supported journeys, and safe landings.

Cabin crew, arm doors and cross-check.

Let’s make sure there’s plenty of runway left for all of us.