In this episode of the Healthy, Hurried Human podcast, Michelle and Katherine unpack a critical leadership question: Is this employee truly being difficult, or are they simply overloaded? They explore how emotional bandwidth, unspoken pressure, and unclear expectations can cause employees to show up in ways that look resistant, disengaged, or combative—but are often symptoms of overwhelm.

Through practical frameworks and real-world examples, the hosts help leaders identify the signs of genuine behavioral issues versus the cues that someone is drowning under the weight of their workload. They discuss the importance of curiosity, check-ins, and emotional fitness in understanding what’s really going on beneath the surface. This episode equips managers and teams with tools to respond wisely, support effectively, and build healthier, more resilient workplace environments.