If standard burnout advice has not helped you, ask a different question: does my responsibility match my real authority? That is a job-design question, not a personal failing.
The common explanation blames the person: poor time management, too little resilience, weak boundaries. Executive coach Brian Baldari of ResilExec Coaching argues the opposite. A June 2026 press release about his firm reports that he calls burnout a leadership design failure rather than a time management problem or a resilience deficit.[1] That is a coach describing his own approach, so read it as one perspective. Research on burnout points in a similar direction, as covered below.
What the research says about job design
Burnout researchers Christina Maslach and Michael Leiter describe an “Areas of Worklife” model. It frames job stress as mismatches between a person and the job in six areas: workload, control, reward, community, fairness, and values. In this model, the bigger the mismatch, the greater the likelihood of burnout.[2] They also note that most interventions have targeted individuals instead of workplaces, even though the research evidence shows a primary role for situational factors.[2] Their review adds limits: much of the evidence comes from self-report, and stronger causal conclusions need better study designs.[2]
The World Health Organization uses similar language. Its definition calls burnout a syndrome resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed, and it limits the term to the work context.[3]
What the coach recommends
According to the press release, Baldari treats burnout as a sign of structural misalignment, for example when responsibility exceeds authority or visibility does not match contribution. His fixes include clarifying decision rights, formalizing feedback channels, and treating energy management as seriously as financial oversight.[1] He also criticizes workplaces that celebrate heroic overextension.[1] We have not tested these claims, and the release is promotional material for his coaching firm.
What this means if you’re the one burning out
Write down what you are accountable for and what you can actually decide. If the first list is much longer, bring that gap to whoever designed or manages your role. Ask for one concrete change, such as clear decision rights on one project or a regular feedback check-in. Personal habits like sleep and breaks still matter, but they cannot close a gap in authority. If your exhaustion is severe or lasting, talk with a health professional.
References
↑︎ Source reporting: 24-7 Press Release Newswire. Burnout Is a Leadership Failure: Brian Baldari of ResilExec on Building Sustainable Teams Through Psychological Safety and Balance. June 25, 2026. URL: https://www.24-7pressrelease.com/press-release/536178/burnout-is-a-leadership-failure-brian-baldari-of-resilexec-on-building-sustainable-teams-through-psychological-safety-and-balance Press release. Bettering Me has not independently verified this report.
↑︎ Maslach C, Leiter MP. Understanding the burnout experience: recent research and its implications for psychiatry. World Psychiatry. 2016;15(2):103-111. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/wps.20311
↑︎ World Health Organization. Burn-out an “occupational phenomenon”: International Classification of Diseases. May 28, 2019. URL: https://www.who.int/news/item/28-05-2019-burn-out-an-occupational-phenomenon-international-classification-of-diseases
Kurt Greiner
Kurt is a digital strategist and IT professional blending emerging technology with practical application to help businesses and individuals streamline their digital presence. His current work focuses on the intersection of intentional living and technological resilience, exploring how individuals can leverage modern tools to navigate the second half of life with purpose.
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