The burnout blind spot

During Tuesday Consulting’s “Table Talk Tuesday” event at the end of September, Dr Mothomang Diaho, a medical doctor and Gestalt-trained coach, challenged leaders to rethink how they view wellness in the workplace.

“Burnout isn’t just an individual issue, it’s a leadership and organisational imperative,” said Diaho at the executive and talent advisory firm’s event. “When leaders run on empty, the ripple effects hit teams, culture, strategy, and, ultimately, performance.”

Burnout, recognised by the World Health Organization as an occupational phenomenon, arises from unmanaged workplace stress. Its impact is staggering: according to Deloitte, 77% of professionals report burnout in their current job, while 95% of HR leaders say burnout is sabotaging retention. Workplace consulting and global research company Gallup estimates the global cost at US$322 billion in lost productivity and turnover.

While self-care practices like yoga and mindfulness are valuable, Diaho emphasised that “band-aid solutions” alone cannot address a systemic issue. Structural change and leadership accountability are essential.

A powerful moment came when Diaho unpacked the “lies we tell ourselves” – things like: “I’ll be fine once this is done”, “People depend on me”, “I’ll take a vacation and then be okay”. These narratives, familiar to many executives, mask deeper dysfunctions and delay meaningful intervention.

Around the world, leading organisations are already redefining wellness as a strategic priority. Microsoft Japan saw productivity jump 40% during a four-day workweek trial. Volkswagen Germany shuts down email servers after-hours to enforce rest. France has enshrined the “right to disconnect” in law, requiring companies to set after-hours communication policies. Scotland has embedded certified mental health first aiders into workplaces. These examples demonstrate that wellness isn’t a perk, but rather a policy and cultural shift that drives sustainable performance.

“As we approach the end of the year, we often see burnout peak. After pushing hard since January, many executives and teams run out of steam just when strategic focus is needed most,” noted Tuesday Consulting director, Wendy Spalding. “This is exactly why wellness has to be a year-round leadership priority, not a once-off conversation when people are already exhausted.” 

Spalding further underscored the business case: “Wellness is no longer about perks and apps. It’s about leaders recognising their shadow – the culture they create simply by how they show up. When leaders model boundaries, accountability, and care, organisations thrive. But when they don’t, burnout becomes inevitable.”

At a personal level, leaders can model sustainable habits and share their own strategies, such as no-meeting zones or taking restorative sabbaticals. At a team level, the “leader’s shadow” becomes critical. This means modelling rest, boundaries, reflection, and recovery; embedding well-being check-ins; and, crucially, ending the celebration of overwork. 

For Tuesday Consulting, this discussion is part of a broader push to challenge outdated leadership models. Wellness, it argues, is the new currency of sustainable leadership – a determinant of retention, innovation, and long-term competitiveness.