Effective leaders manage and protect their teams from burnout, distraction and unnecessary stress. This framework outlines ten practical ways leaders can create healthier and more productive workplaces.

1. Block Burnout Triggers

Identify and eliminate the root causes of exhaustion before they lead to resignations.

2. Stop Fake Urgencies

Protect your team from unnecessary “emergencies” and give them the ability to focus on meaningful, long-term goals.

3. Eliminate Useless Work

Cut low-value tasks (ie. reports no one reads) and more free time for impactful work.

4. Push Back on Deadlines

Advocate for realistic timelines and say no to deadlines that require overtime or compromise quality.

5. Require Priority Trade-Offs

When new work is added, ensure something else is removed and prevent overload.

6. Cut Through Bureaucracy

Streamline unnecessary approvals and processes that slow progress and frustrate employees.

7. Protect Deep Work

Defend focus time by minimizing interruptions and shielding your team from constant “quick requests.”

8. Defend Their Reputation

Highlight team successes to upper management. Recognition boosts morale and visibility.

9. Shield from Office Politics

Handle organizational drama yourself, allowing your team to focus on real work and collaboration.

10. Stop Meeting Madness

Reduce meeting overload — meaningful work can’t happen in endless back-to-back sessions.

By applying these principles, leaders build resilient, motivated teams capable of delivering their best work sustainably.