Why Your High Performers Are Quietly Burning Out And How to Save Them

Why Your High Performers Are Quietly Burning Out And How to Save Them

mental health
August 20, 2025•3 min read

They’re the ones who keep the wheels turning.

The fixers. The deadline-crushers. The “I’ll handle it” people who never seem to slow down.

But here’s the truth: your top performers are often the closest to walking away and when they do, it’s a hit to your bottom line you’ll feel for months, maybe years.

The Hidden Cost of Losing High Performers

High performers don’t just do their jobs, they set the pace for everyone else. When they burn out, you lose:

  • Momentum (projects slow down, bottlenecks grow)

  • Client trust (relationships take time to build, seconds to lose)

  • Revenue (replacing a top performer can cost around 33% of their base salary) (Work Institute)

Burnout doesn’t just cost you in replacement fees, it drags down productivity across the board. Unresolved mental health challenges like depression can reduce productivity by up to 35% and cost U.S. businesses billions annually (Berkeley Exec Ed).

Why They Don’t Say Anything

Your highest achievers often:

  • See asking for help as weakness

  • Fear letting people down

  • Push through stress until it affects their health

Employees experiencing burnout are 63% more likely to take a sick day and more than twice as likely to be actively seeking another job (Gallup). By the time you notice something’s wrong, they’ve already checked out emotionally.

How to Keep Your Top Talent (and Keep Them Thriving)

1. Build Mental Health Support Into the Culture

Make it normal and safe  to use tools like an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) before a crisis hits. The WHO reports that depression and anxiety cost the global economy US$ 1 trillion annually in lost productivity early intervention makes a measurable difference (WHO).

2. Audit Workloads Quarterly

Don’t wait for burnout to pile up. Review what’s on your high performers’ plates and redistribute before it’s too much.

3. Recognize and Reward Effort, Not Just Output

High performers often feel invisible unless they’re hitting impossible targets. Acknowledge the process, not just the wins.

4. Model Healthy Boundaries

If leadership is online at 10 p.m., your team feels the pressure to be too. Toxic work habits are linked to higher burnout risk . APA found 19% of workers report their workplace is toxic, directly impacting mental well-being (APA).

What We Do at Find Your Balance, Center for Growth and Change

We partner with businesses to catch burnout before it costs you your best people.Our EAP and wellness solutions give your team:

  • 3–10 confidential therapy sessions per employee

  • No copays, no insurance billing

  • Coverage for stress, burnout, grief, and personal challenges

  • Support for employees and family members

  • Employer consultations during workplace challenges

If You Wait, You’ll Pay More

Every month you delay, you risk losing a high performer. Replacing them will cost far more than investing in preventative support now.

Let’s protect your top talent today.

Book your free 15-minute “Burnout Prevention Strategy” call now → findyourbalancecenter.com/book-now Or call us at (818) 927-047

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