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When Burnout Becomes Cynicism
"My problem isn't just getting through the workday. It's that I've stopped believing that it's going to get any better." If that sounds like you, you may be struggling with more than just tiredness - and it's a surprisingly common pattern. The truth is we have been naming #work exhaustion for a long time. In 1869, neurologist George Miller Beard called it neurasthenia, a nervous exhaustion from the pace of modern industrial life. A century later, Herbert Freudenberger gave it

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
3 days ago2 min read


Burn-on: the high-functioning burnout no one sees
How can I be burning out and still keep going? Someone once described it to me as feeling like a car running on the reserve tank. You’re still moving but you’re ignoring the red light signaling low fuel on your dashboard. I’ve heard versions of this more times than I can count, in #coaching sessions, exit interviews and individual conversations with people who were DOING absolutely fine, and yet, not FEELING fine. So, what is actually going on here? A 2024 DHR Global survey o

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
May 142 min read


Feeling lonely in a crowded office
Is your #office looking fuller and fuller these days? Almost hitting pre-pandemic levels? And yet Gallup's 2026 global workplace report, published this month, found that, although physical presence has increased in offices globally, daily loneliness among workers is still a struggle. 5 years after the pandemic, with people back in buildings, the emotional state of the workforce is worse than before COVID hit. #RTO mandates were supposed to fix this. But they didn't. Here's wh

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
Apr 302 min read


Positive News to End the Year on a High Note (Part 1)
As the year wraps up and feeds start filling with retrospectives and predictions, I wanted to focus on hope. This is the first of a two-part post focused on positive news from the world of #work and #leadership. It's about amazing things from 2025 that you may have missed but are worth ending the year with, and it's a great reminder that, despite the noise, some things did move in the right direction. Shorter Workweeks Are Proving They Can Work One of the largest multi-countr

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
Dec 24, 20252 min read


Sparking Leadership #13: Is your next career step in leadership OUT instead of UP?
Ah, summer. For many, it's a time for sandy toes, slightly more relaxed schedules, and... quiet reflection on their #career path. While...

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
Jul 17, 20252 min read


Sparking Leadership #11: Quiet quitting and when it's your fault as a leader
Let’s talk about that unsettling feeling when you notice a team member who used to be a firecracker is now just… fizzling . They’re here,...

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
Jul 3, 20252 min read


Sparking Leadership # 10: Your attention diet and leading in the age of infinite distractions
Tell me if this you: Your mind feels like a web browser with 100 tabs open You are constantly juggling dozens of urgent tasks You are...

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
Jun 26, 20252 min read


✨ 2024 in Reflection: Progress, Hope, and Holiday Wishes ✨
If there’s one lesson 2024 taught me—painfully, but powerfully—it’s the importance of forcing myself to look for the positives, even when...

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
Dec 24, 20242 min read


🎄 December Reflections: The Book that changed my work year 🎄
As the year winds down, it’s time for my annual tradition: a cup of tea, some festive jazz music and a reflection on what helped me grow...

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
Dec 17, 20242 min read


Is it time to say cheers to alcohol-free work events? 🍻
A recent article in the Financial Times highlights an interesting trend: fewer employees want alcohol at workplace events. With nearly 60%...

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
Oct 28, 20242 min read


What would you do with your time and career if money wasn’t an issue?
Imagine waking up tomorrow and knowing that all your basic needs are covered. What would you do with your time and career?

Christina - Spark Back Coaching
Sep 6, 20242 min read
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