Signs of Manager Burnout: 10-Minute Fix for Leaders 2026

Signs of Manager Burnout: How One Leader of 18 Got Her Energy Back — and the 10-Minute Meeting That Helped

Last updated: October 16, 2026

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Executive Summary: Managers keep hitting deadlines while quietly running on empty. Gallup reports manager engagement fell to 22% in 2025. In WLS 170, Sabrina Braham shares the signs of manager burnout, how Martha recovered after suddenly leading two teams of nine, and a 10-minute Monday meeting any leader can start this week.

Quick Takeaways:

• Manager engagement dropped from 27% to 22% in 2025 alone (Gallup, 2026).
• Strong results can hide the signs of manager burnout — watch for postponed one-on-ones.
• Ask a stretched manager: “What’s become harder, and what support are you missing?”
• A 10-minute Monday meeting — wins, roadblocks, ideas, recognition — re-energized two teams.
• Coaching changes how you lead; organizations must still fix the conditions you lead in.

Jump to: Why It’s Missed · 6 Signs · Martha’s Story · The 10-Minute Meeting · The Results · For Senior Leaders · Action Plan · Mistakes · FAQ · 2026 Trends

As an executive leadership coach with more than 30 years of experience (MA, MFT, PCC) and host of the Women’s Leadership Success Podcast — on air since 2007, ranked in the top 1.5% of podcasts worldwide, with 57,000+ monthly downloads — I see the signs of manager burnout long