Ever been so damn good at your job that your “reward” is more work dumped on your plate—while everyone else gets the breaks, praise, and actual support? This episode is your tender, truth-telling permission slip to not hold everyone’s chaos together, even if you’re the highest-functioning human in the room.

Hélène takes you into the root-level behind why your competence keeps backfiring (hint: productivity isn’t worthiness, despite what burnout culture sells). From bathtub voice memos to the myth of “team players,” we dig into:

• Why society weirdly punishes competence instead of rewarding it

• How your boss’s secret savior complex shapes your workload

• The difference between being capable and actually having capacity

• How to manage up with integrity, not martyrdom

• Four real, nuanced steps to advocate for yourself at work (without setting fire to your whole life)

This one’s part rant, part strategy guide, part love letter to anyone tired of being the glue. If you’ve ever thought “maybe it all should fall apart,” you’re in the right place.

Connect with Hélène:

Topic requests/Coaching inquiries: hello@helenecanhelp.comWebsite: www.helenecanhelp.comInstagram: @helenecanhelp

CHAPTERS:

00:00 "Society's Productivity Paradox"

05:40 Avoid Overcommitting to Prevent Burnout

09:16 "Balance Expectations and Capacity"

11:48 Redefining Success and Potential

16:39 Transactional Leadership and Power Dynamics

19:40 Conflict: Efficiency vs. Equity

22:53 Clarifying Purpose and Priorities

24:30 Purpose-Driven Advocacy Strategy

30:21 Handling Project Roadblocks and Responses

32:05 "Rethink Escalation: A Leadership Tool"

35:56 Reclaim Your Power at Work

Keywords:

managing up, workplace boundaries, competence, burnout, capacity vs capability, self-advocacy, personal fulfillment, productivity culture, people pleasing, team dynamics, corporate systems, self worth, overwork, leadership, self trust, power dynamics, purpose, work-life balance, martyrdom, systemic critique, communication, self care