C4: Burnout and personal struggles

Use when: Someone is running on empty or going through something hard.

How are you holding up right now, and what's taking the biggest toll?
Which parts of your workload are most draining versus most energizing?
What would make the next two weeks feel more sustainable: fewer priorities, clearer deadlines, more help, or time off?
What support from me would help most: protecting focus time, removing blockers, or adjusting expectations?
How would you like me to check in, and what early signs should we watch for that you're overloaded?

Let them choose how much to share. Your job is to listen and adjust the work, not to counsel.

World Health Organization 2019; Ferrazzi and Jimenez 2022; Gallo 2024; Brodrick 2024; Edmondson 1999

The complete PDF covers 24 situations, 153 questions, and the four listening moves (reflect, summarize, validate, clarify). Download The Questions Leaders Ask field guide.

Want your leaders practicing these out loud, with their team in the room? See how Kestryl Edge workshops work.