Stop Praising the Go-To Person and Start Protecting Them

Updated: Jun 19

April Simpkins, SHRM-CP, PHR

June 17, 2025

"Burnout isn't a badge of honor- it's a bright red warning sign." April Simpkins

Welcome to the not-so-glamorous reality of the office MVP—the human Google, emotional support animal, and vending machine whisperer all rolled into one. You know them. You might be them.While the rest of the team coasts on cruise control, the go-to person is busy solving everything from scheduling conflicts to jammed copiers and the CEO’s existential crises—all before lunch. But here’s the thing: “

Silence isn’t serenity. It’s often exhaustion wrapped in professionalism.”And if you’re the one leaning on them? This is your wake-up call.

💥 The Fallout of Go-To Culture

When the go-to person finally burns out (and trust me, they will), you don’t just lose a task juggler—you lose a culture carrier. The glue that held it together starts to crack, and things fall apart faster than the Wi-Fi during a Zoom call.“If your business falls apart because one person leaves, that’s not loyalty. That’s liability.”Here’s what the research says:

- 70% of employees feel pressured to be available after hours (HBR)- 60% cite work as the reason their mental health suffers (APA)- Replacing a burned-out employee can cost twice their salary- It can take 13.5 months to reach full efficiency again.

🔧 Three Action Steps to Fix It

1. For Leaders: Build Redundancy, Not Resentment

If your org chart reads like a game of Jenga, it’s only a matter of time. Cross-train your staff. Outsource strategically. And rewrite those “other duties as assigned” into clear, compensated responsibilities.“Stop calling it a tight-knit team when it’s just two people doing 12 jobs.”

2. For Go-To People: Advocate Before You Implode

You’re not weak for needing help—you’re wise. Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a warning sign. Speak up. Set boundaries. And remember:“Rest isn’t something you earn. It’s something you require.”

3. For Everyone: Normalize Real Check-Ins

No more half-hearted “How are you?” while juggling coffee and Slack notifications. Try this instead:- “How’s your workload?”- “Do you need support with anything?”- “When’s your next real, guilt-free day off?”Then—actually help them take it.

📚 Resource for Go-To People

Book Recommendation: "Set Boundaries, Find Peace" by Nedra Glover Tawwab, A no-nonsense, practical guide to protecting your time, energy, and sanity.

For Everyone:

Listen below to Episode 2. of my podcast: The Hidden Mental Labor of Being The Go-To Person At Work