Know What's Happening in Leadership

When You’re Worn Down—And Your Team Is Too

In this episode, workplace strategist Daisy Auger‑Dominguez explores how managers can reclaim joy amid the grind of modern leadership, especially for middle managers feeling the pressure from both senior leadership and their teams. She defines joy as deep, sustainable satisfaction that comes from purpose, meaningful connections, and empowering others, and explains how its absence fuels burnout, cynicism, and reduced productivity. Auger‑Dominguez offers practical tactics such as rediscovering one’s "why" (ikigai), adopting a beginner’s mindset, and cultivating gratitude through personal "happy folders" and team celebrations. Her perspective blends research‑backed insights with real‑world coaching examples, showing how small, intentional shifts can lift both manager and team morale.