From Burnout to Belonging: How Servant Leadership Humanizes the Workplace in the Era of Disengagement

Author: Kevan McBeth, Co-Founder of Servant Leadership Academy

The modern workplace is facing a crisis of connection. From "quiet quitting" to the "lazy girl job" trend, workers are signaling a deep need for something more meaningful than productivity metrics and endless Zoom meetings. They’re burned out, checked out, and opting out of outdated leadership models. It’s not that people don’t want to work—they just don’t want to work this way anymore. The solution? A shift from burnout to belonging. A new way forward. A Gallup estimates that at least half of U.S. employees are "quiet quitting"—doing only what’s required, without going above and beyond. Among younger employees, engagement has dropped sharply. A staggering number of workers under 35 report a lack of clarity in their roles, a sense of being undervalued, and a desire for deeper connection at work.

Simultaneously, trends like the "lazy girl job" movement are growing—not as a rejection of ambition, but as a radical call for work-life balance and mental well-being. When people feel unsafe, unseen, and uncared for, they disengage. And while some employers point fingers at the workforce, the truth is clear: disengagement is a leadership issue.servant leadership approach.

Remote Work: Flexibility at a Cost

Yes, remote and hybrid work brought flexibility and freedom—but they also revealed just how fragile our workplace connections really were. The hallway chats disappeared. Feedback became transactional. Many people, especially younger employees, feel isolated, forgotten, and unsure of where they stand. Boundaries blur, burnout spikes, and mentorship fades.

The result? Employees crave more than just a paycheck or a ping pong table—they crave belonging. And that doesn’t come from office mandates. It comes from human-centered leadership.

What Servant Leadership Offers

Servant leadership flips the traditional hierarchy on its head. Instead of people serving leaders, leaders serve their people. It's about intentionally building a workplace culture grounded in trust, safety, and shared purpose. It’s not soft—it’s powerful.

From our work at the Servant Leadership Academy, we know that:

• Listening builds trust. When leaders actively listen, people feel heard and respected.

• Psychological safety matters. Safe spaces unlock creativity, engagement, and resilience.

• Vulnerability is strength. Leaders who show up authentically inspire others to do the same.

• Intentional leadership creates alignment. Consistent, values-driven actions reinforce belonging.

Quiet Quitting Is a Symptom, Not the Problem

Most people aren’t disengaging because they’re lazy—they’re disengaging because they feel disconnected. Servant leaders reestablish purpose, invest in people’s growth, and build authentic communities. They understand that:

• The workplace must be psychologically safe.

• Employees want coaching, not controlling.

• Belonging fuels productivity, creativity, and loyalty.

As Amy Edmondson, a leading researcher on psychological safety, notes: high-performing teams thrive where safety, trust, and collaboration are strong.

Practical Ways to Lead Like a Servant

At the Servant Leadership Academy, we help leaders operationalize their values through daily actions. Here’s how:

1. Lead by Listening: Practice active, empathetic listening in every interaction.

2. Model Vulnerability: Share your challenges, ask for feedback, and normalize humanity.

3. Create Safety: Build trust by respecting ideas, supporting risk-taking, and addressing failure with care.

4. Coach with Purpose: Help your team see their role in the bigger picture.

5. Be Consistent: Intentionality builds trust—so align your actions with your values every single day.

These aren’t abstract ideals. They’re real tools for real leaders who want real results.

The Business Case for Belonging

This isn't just a feel-good strategy—it’s a competitive advantage. Research shows that when employees feel a sense of belonging:

• Job performance increases by 56%

• Turnover risk drops by 50%

• Sick days are reduced by 75%

When leaders serve their people, the people serve the mission. It’s that simple.

The Path Forward: From Burnout to Belonging

It’s time to retire the leadership models of the past and embrace a new way of leading—one rooted in humanity. The shift begins with a single choice: to serve first.

If you’re a leader ready to rehumanize your workplace, we invite you to join us.

Lets think differently.