The Leadership Lie: Why Even Managers Are Quiet Quitting
You can lead meetings, coach your team, hit your goals and still feel like you’re quietly falling apart.
And if that’s you? You’re far from alone.
According to Gallup, only 27% of managers worldwide say they feel engaged at work. That stat alone is enough to raise eyebrows. But The Wall Street Journal asked the deeper question: “Why Are Managers So Miserable?”
Turns out, even the most capable leaders, the ones others rely on, are quietly checking out.
Not because they don’t care. But because they’re carrying too much, with too little support.
This Isn’t Disengagement. It’s Depletion.
The term quiet quitting has mostly been used to describe employees doing the bare minimum. But what happens when leaders start doing it?
We’re seeing it happen. Not out of laziness, but from sheer exhaustion.
Gallup’s data reveals a deeper pattern:
Young managers and women leaders are the least engaged
Post-pandemic job shifts, the rise of AI, and lack of manager training have created pressure with no roadmap
Return-to-office mandates disproportionately impact women, especially those balancing caregiving responsibilities
This is the emotional weight leaders are carrying. And many are doing it silently.
The Lie We’ve Been Sold
Many high performers, especially those in leadership, are operating from an outdated script:
That strength = never breaking
That you must hold space for others, but never ask for space yourself
That leadership means sacrificing your needs, your time, even your health
But here’s what burnout in leadership actually looks like:
You’re getting the job done, but feel increasingly numb
You wake up dreading your calendar
You’re pouring into your team, but feel invisible yourself
You’ve hit the milestones, but it doesn’t feel like success
And the hardest part? This kind of burnout often gets praised. You’re seen as dependable. High-performing. Resilient. But no one’s asking how you are doing.
We Need a New Way to Lead
If you’ve been holding it all together on the outside, but unraveling on the inside, this isn’t a sign of failure. It’s a signal that something needs to shift.
The old way of leading, overworking, overfunctioning, and overgiving, is no longer sustainable.
That’s why I created the Rise & Reclaim Blueprint™: a 90-day journey to help ambitious professionals (especially leaders) build sustainable success without sacrificing their energy, clarity, or confidence.
Because real leadership isn’t about burning out silently. It’s about leading from a place of alignment, not survival.
A New Leadership Paradigm
Old narrative: Push harder. Don’t complain. Be the strong one.
New truth: Real strength is knowing when to pause, reset, and reclaim what matters most, starting with you.
If You’re Feeling This, You’re Not Alone.
Leadership can be lonely. Especially when the pressure is invisible and constant. But you don’t have to carry it alone. If this resonates, it may be time to redefine how you lead, and what success looks like on your own terms.
Let’s talk. Or explore the Rise & Reclaim Blueprint™ to see what’s possible when you stop surviving and start aligning.
Want to Go Deeper?
If you’re ready to pause, reflect, and start rewriting your definition of success on your own terms…
Download a free chapter of my book, Success Starts Within, and learn how to reclaim your energy and create success that actually feels good: Click here to download
Looking to improve retention, reduce burnout, and help your team thrive?
I deliver keynotes and workshops that show professionals how to perform at a high level, without sacrificing their well-being: Click here to learn more
Chazz Scott | Resilience & Sustainable Performance Expert | Founder, Supra Mentem Consulting | Author of Success Starts Within
Creator of the Rise & Reclaim Blueprint™ – Helping professionals and teams break free from burnout, boost retention, and build success that actually feels good.
