Running on Empty: The Workplace Culture That Destroys Energy

Ignoring the Rules: Leadership That Actually Works · Apr 2, 2026 · 18m

Vacation days are not a perk—they are survival gear. Yet in too many companies, employees are afraid to use them. They worry it will make them look lazy, that they will fall behind, or that their job might not be there when they return.

That fear is toxic. It drains energy, crushes creativity, and quietly drives teams straight into burnout.

In this episode of Ignoring the Rules, Wayne Robertson takes aim at the workplace culture that keeps employees chained to their desks. He breaks down why time off actually drives performance, how burnout silently destroys productivity, and what leaders…