Caught between pressure from the top and the weight of their teams, today’s people leaders are under more stress than ever. Here’s how organizations can shift their systems before stress becomes burnout.
The Pressure No One Talks About
You don’t have to be in HR to feel it, but if you are, you’re probably carrying it more than most.
Across industries, team leaders and managers are quietly burning out. Executives are pushing for higher performance with fewer resources. Teams are overwhelmed, under-connected, and looking for guidance. And managers are stuck in the middle, expected to be the glue that holds it all together.
At Pavelka, we call this The Leader Squeeze. And if we don’t address it, the cost won’t just be human—it will be cultural, operational, and ultimately, financial.
This Is Not a Manager Problem—It’s a Business Problem
Managers aren’t just another layer in the org chart. They’re the single greatest influence on engagement, retention, and team wellbeing.
Gallup research shows that managers account for 70% of the variance in employee engagement. When they’re supported, teams are energized, productive, and loyal. When they’re not, the ripple effects are immediate:
- Stress spreads
- Communication stalls
- Motivation dips
- Turnover rises
What’s Causing the Squeeze
It’s not just about the workload. It’s about the system.
- No leadership training
58% of managers have never received formal leadership training and development. - Promotion ≠ preparation
Many are promoted for technical skills, not people leadership. - Work-life blur
60% of managers struggle to set boundaries and maintain balance. - Remote and hybrid isolation
Fewer face-to-face interactions with peers and senior leaders leads to a sense of disconnection. - No space to lead
Delivery tasks and back-to-back meetings leave little room for focused work, coaching, and culture-building.
“We expect managers to be culture carriers, problem solvers, and performance drivers—all while being available 24/7. That’s not sustainable leadership. That’s a recipe for exhaustion.”
— Jessie Pavelka, CEO & Co-Founder
From Squeeze to Support: 5 Ways to Shift the System
We won’t fix systemic pressure with a meditation app. This calls for real organizational change—and it starts at the top.
- Redefine the Manager Role
Stop treating managers as pressure absorbers. Recognize them as cultural linchpins. Align expectations with capacity and give your people the space to lead, not just react.
- Build Better Leaders
Leadership isn’t innate; it’s developed. Invest in training, coaching, and communities that help managers build confidence and competence.
- Cut the Noise
Overwhelm thrives without clarity. Help managers focus on what matters—and say no to what doesn’t. Streamline goals, reduce task clutter, and revisit what “must-do” really means.
- Show, Don’t Just Tell
Encouraging people to log off at 5 doesn’t work if their leader is emailing at 9. Boundaries need to be modeled by senior leadership in order to stick.
- Close the Feedback Loop
Managers need more than performance reviews—they need space to speak up. Create channels for upward feedback and involve them in decision-making, especially around hybrid, wellbeing, and culture initiatives.
Want to Go Deeper?
Our full Leader Squeeze Guide includes self-assessments, reflection tools, and practical next steps for teams, HR leaders, and executives to take action.
👉 Download the Leader Squeeze Guide
Final Thought
We can’t afford to keep squeezing the people we rely on most.
When you invest in your managers, you’re not just protecting performance—you’re shaping the culture your organization depends on.
