The Inspire Note

Support shouldn’t stop at your strongest people

Every team has someone whom people count on. They meet deadlines, solve problems, and step in when something needs to get done. Because they make the work look manageable, it’s easy to assume they’re doing fine.

As a top performer I know the weight of being dependable. But being dependable doesn’t mean someone has unlimited capacity.

Over time, reliability can become a reason to give a person more work without revisiting their priorities. They may receive plenty of praise while still needing practical help, time to develop, or permission to set a boundary.

As a leader, I have noticed this pattern in others. Before handing another task to the person who always delivers, ask what they are already carrying. Consider what can move, what can wait, and whether someone else could grow by taking on the assignment.

If you recognize yourself as that dependable person, take a moment to check your own capacity. Asking for support gives others a more accurate picture of what it takes to sustain your work.

Try this week: Check in with someone you regularly rely on. Ask, “What’s taking more time or energy than I may realize?” Listen without immediately adding another request. Then agree on one adjustment that would help.

Appreciation becomes more meaningful when it influences how we treat people’s time and effort.

A question to carry with you: Who might need more support than their performance suggests?

Riunita Martin
Founder, LEI Academy
Author of Build the Leader. Transform the Trajectory.
Host of Leading Beyond You