In today’s fast-paced work culture, burnout has become a serious issue affecting businesses at every level. During a recent conversation on The Middle East Marketer podcast with Sally Moore, Maria Haggo, Founder of Transform8, shared some incredibly valuable insights on how burnout and disengagement not only impact individual well-being but also pose a direct threat to organizational productivity and financial health.
The high cost of burnout is staggering. Gallup’s research shows that disengagement alone costs the global economy an astounding $8.8 trillion each year. Even more concerning, employees in high-pressure environments are often productive for just 2-3 hours per day. The mental toll of burnout affects emotional resilience, disrupts collaboration, and erodes a sense of belonging within teams, creating an environment where performance suffers.
For leaders, this should be a wake-up call. Burnout doesn’t just impact employees—it takes a toll on leaders as well. The pressure to meet business objectives while also supporting teams through stressful times can deeply affect a leader’s own mental health. Maria emphasized how important it is for leaders to care for the well-being of their teams and, just as importantly, to take care of themselves.
Effective leadership is the key to reversing the harmful effects of burnout and disengagement. As Maria explained, conscious leadership driven by emotional intelligence, empathy, and self-awareness—can transform workplace culture and drive higher engagement. Leaders who truly prioritize mental health can create environments where well-being is at the forefront, fostering stronger connections, a sense of inclusion, and ultimately higher productivity.
What really stood out in the conversation were the practical steps Maria shared for leaders to create well-being-focused strategies. It’s not just about offering stress management programs now and then. It’s about building a culture where employees feel supported, valued, and heard. This kind of environment ultimately enhances team collaboration and boosts overall performance.
One of the most powerful takeaways from Maria’s talk was the role of neuroscience in leadership and workplace culture. By understanding how our nervous system reacts to stress, leaders can better regulate their own stress levels and create spaces where their teams can thrive. It’s all about managing emotional responses and stress in ways that help build resilient teams capable of staying engaged and innovative—even under pressure.
Maria’s approach is more than just theory—it’s all about real, measurable results. In her work with companies, she focuses on strategies that align well-being practices with business goals, whether that means improving performance, reducing sick days, or even increasing sales.
The benefits of implementing mental health and stress management strategies are clear: higher employee retention, greater creativity, and enhanced productivity. But these changes need to start with leadership and extend across every level of the organization to build a healthier, more sustainable work environment for everyone.
If your business is interested in making a positive transformation in your workplace culture, Maria offers some amazing resources. One of the key programs she offers is the Mastering Stress through Nervous System Regulation program, designed to help leaders and employees understand and manage stress effectively.
For organizations looking to go even deeper into improving their culture, Maria also offers a Discovery Session and Culture Assessment. This two-day assessment includes leadership consultations, custom questionnaires, and data analysis to identify any organizational challenges and tailor solutions that will make a real difference. While there may be opportunities for additional consulting services, the Culture Assessment is a great starting point for any organization looking to truly evolve.
Addressing burnout and mental health in the workplace is no longer optional. It’s essential for long-term success. Leaders who proactively create a culture of well-being not only help reduce burnout but also unlock the full potential of their teams.
To learn more about how you can build a workplace where employees feel valued, engaged, and motivated to do their best work, I encourage you to check out Maria’s full conversation on The Middle East Marketer podcast. It’s a must-listen for any leader who wants to lead the change in creating workplaces where people and performance thrive together.
👉 Watch the full conversation here:
If you’re ready to lead the change in your organization, share this message with your network and take the first step toward creating a healthier, more human-centered workplace today.
The leadership program that will redefine how you lead in 2025 https://www.transform8now.com/mastering-stress-mem
By Palitha Ariyarathna