When your team goes quiet... it’s not calm — it’s a signal.
Teams rarely break overnight.
They fade — one ignored moment at a time.
Great leaders don’t wait for burnout reports.
They feel it in everyday conversations.
Here’s how to catch it early
Check the temperature weekly, not yearly.
Ask: “What’s one thing making work harder right now?”
Make 1:1s about them — not project updates.
If your check-ins sound like status reports, you’re missing the real story.
Listen beyond words.
A quiet “fine” or delayed reply can say a lot more than it seems.
Encourage upward feedback.
If your team can’t challenge your ideas, they’ll quietly check out instead.
Recognize effort, not just results.
Results matter — but energy is what fuels them. Celebrate both.
Treat silence as data.
When people stop asking, suggesting, or caring… pay attention.
Protect capacity, not just deadlines.
A burned-out team might finish today — and quit tomorrow.
Share context before pressure.
People give more when they understand why it matters.
Face conflict early.
Avoiding tension isn’t kindness — it’s neglect.
Model honesty from the top.
When leaders pretend everything’s fine, everyone else learns to fake it too.
Silence isn’t stability — it’s an early warning sign.
The best leaders don’t ignore it. They listen and act fast.
Do you agree, or have you seen this happen in your team?