SHRM All Things Work

Fixer Fatigue: Why Solving Everything Yourself Is Wearing You Out

August 19, 2026·41 min
Episode Description from the Publisher

Being the go-to problem solver might feel like strong leadership — until it quietly burns you out and stalls your team's growth. Middle managers especially feel this pressure, expected to be available, adaptable, and ready with an answer. But that always-on approach comes at a cost.  Julie Armstrong, founder of 3H Leadership Consulting, and Leah Marone, a mental wellness expert, unpack "fixer fatigue," middle manager exhaustion, and why an open-door policy can backfire on everyone.  In this episode, you'll learn how to set boundaries without pulling back from your team, spot the signs your limits are too thin, and ultimately make the critical mindset shift to: Support, Don't Solve.    Subscribe to the All Things Work newsletter to get the latest episodes, expert insights, and additional resources delivered straight to your inbox: https://shrm.co/fg444d    ---  Explore SHRM’s all-new flagships. Content curated by experts. Created for you weekly. Each content journey features engaging podcasts, video, articles, and groundbreaking newsletters tailored to meet your unique needs in your organization and career. Learn More: https://shrm.co/coy63r 

Podzilla Summary coming soon

Sign up to get notified when the full AI-powered summary is ready.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.

Listen to This Episode

Get summaries like this every morning.

Free AI-powered recaps of SHRM All Things Work and your other favorite podcasts, delivered to your inbox.

Get Free Summaries →

Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.