Quiet Cracking: Why Burnout Is Harder to Spot—and Fix—Than You Think
Cathie Leimbach • October 28, 2025
Based on Jen Colletta’s article To Tackle ‘Quiet Cracking,’ Start with Transformation in These 3 Areas.
Many employees today are quietly struggling. They’re showing up, doing the work, but inside they’re stressed, burned out, and feeling stuck. Experts call this “quiet cracking.” It’s not loud or obvious, but it’s a serious warning sign.
In a climate of layoffs, workers may hide their stress to avoid looking weak. They won’t speak up until things feel unmanageable. That’s why companies need to act early—before cracks turn into breaks.
To truly address quiet cracking, organizations must transform three key areas:
- Leadership: Empower managers as the first line of defense with coaching, career development, and tools to spot invisible stress.
- Culture: Shift away from hero culture where burnout is seen as commitment, and toward sustainable goals, clear boundaries, and psychological safety.
- Technology: Use data-backed insights to predict burnout, track wellbeing, and hold leaders accountable for improving employee experience.
When managers understand workload and performance expectations clearly, they can lead with empathy and action. And when employees take regular time off, retention and wellbeing improve—along with business results.
View 4 Statistics on Quiet Cracking at Work for key stats on quiet cracking and why it matters for your workforce.
As you’re wrapping presents this season, it’s also a great time to wrap up your year with intention. The end of the year offers a natural pause—a chance to reflect, appreciate, and celebrate the people who made a difference along the way. At work, we often move from one deadline to the next without stopping to say thank you. Take a moment to recognize your teammates. Maybe it’s the coworker who always had your back, or the leader who helped you stretch and grow. A sincere “thank you” or a short handwritten note can go a long way. It doesn’t need to be elaborate—just genuine. The same holds true in your personal life. When was the last time you told a friend or family member how much they mean to you? Between holiday plans and to-do lists, it’s easy to forget that our presence often matters more than any present. Every year brings both highs and lows. As this one comes to a close, choose to focus on what went right. Celebrate the small wins and acknowledge the people who supported you through the challenging moments. So, while you’re taping up gift boxes, take a little time to wrap up your year with gratitude. Send the text. Write the card. Let people know they’re valued. After all, the most meaningful gift you can give is helping someone feel truly appreciated. Want more simple, meaningful ways to express appreciation—without overspending? 👉 View Sharing Joy at Work Without Breaking the Bank for practical ideas you can use right away.
In Erica Dhawan’s book, Get Big Things Done, she defines Connectional Intelligence as the ability to combine knowledge, networks, and relationships to drive meaningful results. In today’s busy workplace, it’s not just what you know—it’s how well you connect that turns good ideas into big outcomes. Strong Connectional Intelligence within a team strengthens workplace morale and productivity by impacting four key attributes of high-performance cultures: Value Visibly – People perform better when they know their contributions matter. Leaders who highlight strengths, acknowledge effort, and celebrate progress create a culture where great work becomes contagious. Communicate Carefully – In an age of nonstop messages, clarity is a competitive advantage. Thoughtful communication reduces confusion, prevents conflict, and ensures that everyone moves forward with shared understanding. Collaborate Confidently – Connectional Intelligence flourishes when people feel empowered to contribute. Confident collaboration means inviting diverse perspectives, leveraging individual superpowers, and creating space for smart problem-solving. Trust Totally – Trust is the anchor of all high-performing teams. When leaders show reliability, transparency, and empathy, people take risks, share ideas, and stay aligned toward common goals. Connectional Intelligence helps teams innovate faster, break down silos, and accomplish what truly matters. Want to learn more? Visit Erica Dhawan’s website to explore her full body of work and deepen your understanding of Connectional Intelligence.