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What happened
The December 2025 Harvard Business Review article by Alyson Meister and Nele Dael explores the phenomenon of teams appearing to function well externally despite members feeling overwhelmed internally. The authors detail a high-performing manager’s experience where project deadlines were consistently met, and meetings were productive, yet the manager personally felt like “screaming” inside due to chronic stress. Symptoms included inability to sleep, concentration difficulties, and tasks feeling daunting. This case study represents a wider issue of hidden workplace stress not always visible through usual performance metrics or meeting efficiency. The article encourages organizations to look beyond surface-level indicators and foster awareness of mental health challenges. Recognizing these signs can prevent burnout and improve overall team well-being, contributing to sustainable productivity.
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Key insights
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1
Hidden Stress Despite Performance
Teams can meet deadlines and run efficient meetings while members experience severe internal stress and overwhelm.
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2
Mental Health Signs in High-Performers
Symptoms such as insomnia, concentration problems, and difficulty completing small tasks can indicate burnout in seemingly successful managers.
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3
Need for Deeper Awareness
Surface metrics like project progress may mask mental health struggles, underscoring the need for organizations to monitor team well-being more closely.
Takeaways
Understanding that high team performance can coexist with hidden stress is vital for effective management and healthier workplace environments.
Topics
Work & Education Careers & Work Health & Medicine Mental Health