The machine is intelligent. It knows that humans crave validation. And it will always find the most cost-effective way to deliver it to you. Over time, overwork has shifted from being a warning sign to something that is often celebrated.
In many workplaces, exhaustion is often mistaken for a sign of dedication and commitment. I recall one manager boasting about working 14-hour days for three consecutive weeks. “That’s what it takes to win,” he said. Meanwhile, his team was dropping like flies — sick days, mental health leave, resignations.
The problem is that burnout in corporate culture is often reframed as dedication. People who set boundaries are usually perceived as “not committed,” while those who run themselves into the ground are often celebrated. But here’s the truth: burnout doesn’t make you a hero. It makes you replaceable.
