Last updated 10 November 2026
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Staff follow what gets praised and promoted. Change what leaders reward and do themselves, and make it acceptable to say when the workload is too much.
When long hours are praised, people learn that being stretched is what good employees look like, and rest starts to look like a lack of ambition. Over time, this leads to poorer decisions, more mistakes, burnout and people leaving.
What to do
- Reward results, not hours Praise good work, not late nights or looking busy.
- Ask leaders to protect their own rest Leaving on time, taking leave and taking real breaks during the day.
- Make it acceptable to say the workload is too much When someone raises it, thank them and agree what can move.
- Check in with people who never stop Ask how they are, instead of praising the hours.
- Include well-being in performance reviews, for example how someone manages their workload and supports colleagues.
- Talk honestly about busy periods Say when a period will be hard, and say what you will do to help.
Watch out for
- High performers are often most at risk. They keep delivering while exhausted, so their distress can go unnoticed.
- Phrases such as “stay strong” or “just push through” can stop people saying they are struggling.
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Kaleidoscope Labs manages the Network and provides some of these courses and workshops for a fee.
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