Clear communication for the win.

A major contributor to burnout is the uncertainty that results from poor communication.

What are the priorities? Why are they changing? Will layoffs impact me? What role or behavior is expected of me? Is something wrong—or is someone simply having a bad day?

In this episode, Jen and Meredith explore how clear, consistent communication can reduce unnecessary stress before it has a chance to become something bigger. They also look at the shared responsibility involved: managers need to communicate expectations, changes, priorities, and feedback thoughtfully, while everyone involved can bring self-awareness and emotional intelligence to support clearer conversations.

Connect with us for more great conversations:

Jen @ Jen Werner Coaching

Meredith @ MKO Strategies

The opinions expressed in this podcast are strictly those of Jen Werner and Meredith Olsen.

The advice or suggestions offered are not intended to take the place of individual 1:1 coaching or replace mental health resources.

Music used in this episode: "Forward Motion" by Reveille. Licensed for use by Big Hair and Glasses.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does doing less mean failure?

For high performers, admitting that the workload has become too much can feel surprisingly risky.

If being capable, dependable, and willing to take on more helped us succeed, what does it mean when we suddenly can't do it all? Are we failing? Will people see us differently? Are we giving something up that we worked hard to earn?

In this episode, Jen and Meredith explore why acknowledging burnout can feel so difficult and discuss the importance of skills like delegation, trust, and asking for help.

They highlight the important role managers can play in helping develop those skills, as well as the employee side of the equation: noticing our own warning signs and creating enough awareness to recognize when something needs to change.

Connect with us for more great conversations:

Jen @ Jen Werner Coaching

Meredith @ MKO Strategies

The opinions expressed in this podcast are strictly those of Jen Werner and Meredith Olsen.

The advice or suggestions offered are not intended to take the place of individual 1:1 coaching or replace mental health resources.

Music used in this episode: "Forward Motion" by Reveille. Licensed for use by Big Hair and Glasses.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does burnout look like in real life?

In this episode, Jen and Meredith discuss the early signs of burnout and what both managers and employees can watch for before someone reaches a breaking point. Increased sensitivity, lateness, disengagement, absenteeism, and changes in typical behavior can all signal an issue. They also look at how high performers can quietly normalize unsustainable workloads until their “normal” becomes far too much.

The takeaway is that burnout rarely begins with a dramatic collapse. It often starts with small but noticeable changes that can be addressed early.

Connect with us for more great conversations:

Jen @ Jen Werner Coaching

Meredith @ MKO Strategies

The opinions expressed in this podcast are strictly those of Jen Werner and Meredith Olsen.

The advice or suggestions offered are not intended to take the place of individual 1:1 coaching or replace mental health resources.

Music used in this episode: "Forward Motion" by Reveille. Licensed for use by Big Hair and Glasses.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.