How I Help Leaders Avoid Burnout and Align Their Teams — My Guest Appearance on the Burnout Proof Leadership Podcast

Have you ever felt like your team just isn’t getting it—and you’re the one stuck filling the gaps? I’ve been there. And in my recent guest appearance on the Burnout Proof Leadership podcast, I had the chance to dive deep into that all-too-common leadership struggle with hosts Drs. Michelle and Tracy.

👉 Listen to Episode 321 here

The Real Cost of Misaligned Expectations

In this episode, we unpacked a quiet leadership killer: misaligned expectations and unclear roles. These issues often fly under the radar but can seriously affect performance—and more importantly, your peace of mind as a leader.

One of the biggest takeaways from my experience? Even team members who are incredible culture fits can underperform when there’s a lack of clarity. And too often, the leader (that’s you and me) ends up stepping in to make things work—leading straight to burnout.

According to a 2023 Deloitte study, 76% of professionals report experiencing burnout at least sometimes. And for leaders juggling vision, people, and day-to-day operations, that number feels even higher.

The Power of Partnership Agreements

During our chat, I shared one of my favorite tools for bringing clarity to team dynamics: partnership agreements. These aren’t legal documents—they’re conversations turned into commitments. They outline mutual expectations, define responsibilities, and create accountability without micromanaging.

In my own business, these agreements have helped me:

• Reduce friction and misunderstandings

• Empower my team with clearer roles

• Free up my energy to focus on what I do best

They’re simple, effective, and totally underutilized.

Leading with Transparency and Progress

We also explored a mindset shift that’s been huge for me: focusing on progress over the gap. Inspired by Dan Sullivan’s “The Gap and the Gain,” this approach reminds me to measure how far we’ve come—not just how far we still have to go.

This kind of mindset helps lift your team’s morale and keeps you from spiraling into perfectionism or discouragement. It’s a small change in perspective that makes a big difference.

Change Doesn’t Have to Be Chaotic

If you’re going through a season of change—hiring, restructuring, or scaling—I shared some strategies that have helped me lead with more confidence and less chaos. Leading through transition doesn’t have to feel like putting out fires. With the right structure, it can actually build stronger buy-in and trust.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

This episode is packed with real talk and practical tools. Here’s what you can expect to take away:

• How to spot the hidden causes of burnout in your leadership

• Why team underperformance often comes down to role confusion

• How partnership agreements bring clarity and boost accountability

• The mindset shift that helps you lead from a place of momentum

• Ways to structure team communication during times of growth and change

Let’s Keep This Conversation Going

I’m so grateful to Michelle and Tracy for the opportunity to share what I’ve learned—and to encourage other leaders who are trying to do it all. If you’re feeling stretched too thin or like your team just isn’t aligned, I hope this episode gives you permission and tools to make a shift.

🎧 Listen to Burnout Proof Leadership: Episode 321 – featuring me, Joey Vitale
Click here to tune in