“When I was burned out, like many of us, I thought it was just exhaustion and kept powering through that depletion. Because if you’re a woman, a person of color, or represent any kind of difference from the environment you’re in, the price of entry is a lot higher. It means constantly having to work twice as hard, if not more. And it’s not just the price of entry, it’s the price of staying in that role,” said Daisy Auger-Domínguez, Author, Speaker and Human Resources Executive.
Many of us work tirelessly to get into leadership. Then we’re disheartened by the emotional energy it takes to manage teams, how we’re perceived, and our workloads. Whether you’re in management or plan to be, learning to navigate and recover from burnout, is an essential career skill. We discussed this critical topic, the focus of Daisy’s newest book, From Burned Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People.
You’re Not Alone, Most of Us Burn Out
Until the pandemic, burnout was an under-discussed pitfall of modern work. Now, not only are most workers disengaged, manager burnout is also rampant. And yes, it’s the managers who most influence employee experiences.
Daisy said, “As with many other women and Mothers, I’ve had different bouts of burnout throughout my career. Like immediately after having my daughter and figuring out how to navigate work and childcare duties. And managing the guilt and shame of not feeling like ‘enough’ of a professional or ‘enough’ of a Mother.” Sadly, between the culture of most workplaces and lack of parental support, burnout tends to resurface.
The Uneven Conditions Don’t Help
Most industries continue to experience radical post-pandemic changes. And the fraught political and social climate remains super messy. So, stress is in the air we breathe.
Daisy said, “Between the global pandemic, global racial crisis, and a complete redefinition of what work looks like, we’re living in a poly-crisis moment. As one executive told me, ‘When I haven’t recovered from the last two crises, how can you expect me to be an abundant and expansive leader?’ So, in the book, I’m saying let’s call it what it is. It can feel deeply overwhelming, but I am drawn to hope and joy.”
And Leadership Doesn’t Insulate You from Job Loss
Economic pressure, and the Motherhood penalty means, many struggle to stay in jobs they dislike or feel disillusioned by. And being one of ‘the few’ women in management or the ‘only’ woman of color, is challenging.
Daisy said, “It’s knowing on any given day something can happen. And I can be ‘the one’ who loses my job because I don’t have the right relationships or haven’t received the right support. That level of uncertainty is a very real experience for many of us. A lot of people think when you become a C-Suite executive, you no longer have to worry. But I was still fighting to keep my seat and bring other seats to the table as an executive, because that’s been my mission throughout my career.”
Or Needing to Play ‘the Game’
Workplaces are run by humans, with unpredictable emotions and changing needs. So, no matter where you work there’s emotional energy spent plugging into ‘the way’ things are done and building relationships. Daisy said, “I know how to navigate workspaces, but despite learning how to do ‘the dance’ I still feel that burden. And it’s been a constant for so many of us, that we don’t even see it, and walk around like zombies trying to just survive.” So, how can you protect not only your wellbeing, but your enthusiasm when managing others?
So, Get Clear on Your Needs
Daisy said, “I deeply believe in self-reflection. And I say that not as a ‘woo woo’ thing, like go and meditate on this, but from a place of being right within before we make career decisions. It’s the name of the last chapter in the book, because those lyrics from Lauryn Hill resonated with me.”
Many brilliant women, especially women of color, sail over the career cliff with mission impossible assignments. So, how do you determine what’s rigged for your success? She added. “We tend to make a lot of choices from a place of scarcity, fear or anxiety. I have accepted jobs just because I just felt flattered to be considered for the role.”
Including Where You Shine
Daisy acknowledges that despite the stress, she is well suited for the dynamic nature of leading Human Resource organizations. Which is an extremely visible and strategic role, with broad responsibilities.
She explained, “My husband says, ‘you like to solve the gnarliest problem so you’re always going into battle zones’ and for a long time I didn’t realize that. I am good in a crisis, but I was often making those decision out of ego, or a sense of responsibility. So much has been invested in me as an immigrant child it felt like, ‘who am I to say no?’ Then you realize, when you have the opportunity, the corner office may not be that sexy. The added benefits are fun, but if you’re working 24/7, you don’t get to enjoy them.”
Determine What You Want from Your Career
Daisy wisely reminds us that our professional needs will change. So, consider your season, as you prioritize your time and opportunities. Early career goals, differ from mid-career or later ambitions. You may not want to manage and mentor others. Or you may not want to do so, under certain conditions, or for teams of certain sizes. You have options and the freedom to experiment.
She said, “Know what’s important to you at this stage in your career. In my 30’s I was thinking, ‘what’s my source of career longevity? How do I establish a professional brand and body of work?’ We often talk about brand as this esoteric term. But it’s part of how you establish a body of work you’re proud of. One that allows you to be expansive in your function and allows you to grow if you want to try something else later.”
Protect Your Energy Through Busy Seasons
Daisy acknowledged that when growing your income, or career options, it’s rarely possible to dial back. “You may be working on a high-profile initiative, or in a high potential program, and have to deliver more and more. If so, take respite where you can. For example, ask yourself ‘what do my weekends look like? What do my after-work hours look like?’ We fool ourselves into believing that we have to go, go, go 24/7. Because to be clear, the world is hitting us with requests 24/7.”
And Tighten Your Boundaries
Not every professional environment is psychologically safe. So, we often struggle to establish work/life boundaries, but there are alternatives. Daisy explained, “When I managed s global team, I could have literally been in front of my computer all day long answering emails. Because people were reaching out from every time zone. I didn’t manage it well and that’s what led to my burnout. When I think about what I could have done differently, I realize that I could have established tighter boundaries and delegated more.”
Even When You’re in Go Mode
If you’re trying to reach tenure, lead a growing team, or are navigating any kind of professional upgrade, you need more space for your wellbeing. Self-care is one of the few sources of fuel you have.
Daisy explained, “Even in the most strenuous moments, there are still ways that we can protect our hearts and our minds. We can create many boundaries, even if it’s not every boundary. When we establish boundaries for ourselves, we tell the world that we that we matter and tell others, they matter too. If you’re a leader and manager modeling that, allows your team to safeguard themselves.” Amen!
And Stay Intentional About Joy
In the book, Daisy shares practical ways to tap available sources of joy, that are meaningful to you. Like taking a walk in nature or helping a colleague. And we discussed how she combines intentional joy with strategies to relieve anxiety, in the moment.
Like having go-to positive mantras, and breathwork routines. She explains, “I talk about fueling your light a lot in the book. Because I believe, when you fuel your light, you’re able to encounter these dark moments and see your way through them. So, fueling your light by building your joy, is it what really generates excitement.”
Many thanks to the talented Daisy Auger Domínguez!
Check out her amazing new book From Burned Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People. And follow Daisy’s great adventure on Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and her website.
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About Daisy:
Daisy Auger-Domínguez is a cross-sector, global leader, speaker, author, and workplace strategist. With years of experience leading global human capital practices at companies like Google, Disney and Vice Media, she equips managers and leaders with the skills they need to build high-performing teams and shift culture to drive performance without burning out. Described as a calming and invigorating voice, Daisy prioritizes people and culture as a winning strategy.
Her advisory firm, Auger-Domínguez Ventures, bridges the gap between how organizations should work and how they actually work through fractional CPO engagements, coaching, virtual and in-person keynotes, and interactive workshops. She also advises startup and venture technology companies that are building a better future of work, helping founders create impactful and lasting solutions. Her books, Inclusion Revolution and Burnt Out to Lit Up offer actionable strategies for building inclusive workplaces and revitalizing leadership practices.
A dynamic storyteller, Daisy’s insights have been featured at TEDx and in publications, including the Harvard Business Review and Forbes. Her contributions have earned her accolades, such as being named one of Hispanic Executive’s Top 10 Leaders and one of People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Women. She serves on the Board of Trustees at Bucknell University, her alma mater, is also a member of the Harvard Business Review Advisory Council, Makers Advisory Board, and a strategic advisor for PeopleTech Enterprise.
