How Coaching Helps Employees Regain Control and Prevent Burnout
Even high-performing employees reach a point where they feel mentally and emotionally drained - especially when external pressures or uncontrollable circumstances dominate their day-to-day work.
For HR and L&D leaders, this can look like:
Employees feeling overwhelmed despite being capable
Chronic stress or fatigue leading to disengagement
A ripple effect on teams, as productivity and morale decline
Leadership and employee coaching can help employees regain clarity, agency, and focus - all of which are essential for maintaining performance and avoiding burnout.
The Coaching Question: “What Am I Tolerating?”
One of the most transformative coaching tools we use is asking employees:
“What am I tolerating?”
This question helps employees uncover hidden sources of stress they’ve accepted as “normal.” Common examples include:
Team members consistently missing deadlines without follow-up
Feeling pressured by strong personalities in meetings
A workload that is unsustainable because they never say no
Recurring problems they’ve stopped trying to solve
Why This Question Works
Employees often tolerate situations because they believe nothing can be done:
“That’s just how things are.”
“I don’t want to make waves.”
“I feel stuck.”
By shining a light on tolerances, coaching helps employees:
Recognize patterns that are draining their energy
Set realistic boundaries and communicate needs effectively
Reclaim agency over areas they can influence
Reduce stress and focus on the work that truly matters
Organizational Benefits
When employees are empowered to identify and address what they’re tolerating, organizations see:
Reduced burnout and improved employee well-being
Higher engagement and morale across teams
Better productivity as energy shifts to high-value work
Lower turnover risk among high-potential talent
This proactive support helps your organization retain top performers and maintain strong operational momentum.
Next steps for HR and L&D Leaders
If your employees are showing signs of fatigue or frustration, coaching can help them regain focus, set boundaries, and operate at their best—protecting both your talent and your organizational outcomes.
→ Let’s discuss how employee and leadership coaching can reduce burnout and improve team performance in your organization.