Closing the Leadership Gap in Tech: Why Manager Burnout Is Rising and How to Fix It
A recent report from Simon Sinek’s Optimism Company revealed a troubling reality: 75% of middle managers are experiencing burnout. In the tech industry, this challenge is even more pronounced. Rapid product cycles, constant technological change, and increasing organizational pressure have created an environment where managers are expected to perform at an unsustainable, near-superhuman pace.
Why Tech Managers Are Burning Out
One of the biggest drivers of burnout in tech leadership is the way managers are developed, or not developed at all.
High-performing technical employees are frequently promoted into management roles without any formal leadership training or preparation for leading people. Overnight, they shift from being individual contributors to handling conflict resolution, coaching employees, conducting performance conversations, and navigating cross-functional demands.
This transition is overwhelming, and the consequences ripple across the organization.
The Impact on ManagersWhen leadership development is missing, new tech managers often experience:
- Feeling overwhelmed, underqualified, and unsupported
- A loss of confidence as they face people-management challenges they were never trained to handle
- Constant firefighting instead of strategic leadership, which accelerates stress and burnout
The effects do not stop with the manager. Teams often experience:
- Unclear or inconsistent communication
- Reduced psychological safety as managers default to micromanagement or avoidance
- Declining employee engagement and morale
- Slower execution, increased rework, and rising frustration
In short, when organizations neglect leadership development, they unintentionally set both managers and their teams up for failure.
Leadership Is a Skill, and It Can Be Learned
The good news is that this leadership gap in tech is fixable.
Leadership is not an innate talent reserved for a select few. It is a skill set that can be taught, practiced, and strengthened. With the right training, support systems, and coaching, technically skilled professionals can become confident, effective leaders who inspire high-performing teams.
Organizations can start by providing:
- Structured leadership foundations for new managers
- Practical tools for clear communication, expectation-setting, and conflict management
- Ongoing coaching or mentorship to build self-awareness and decision-making confidence
Common Leadership Challenges Facing Tech Managers
At Blue Aurora Solutions, we consistently see the same leadership challenges arise among new and emerging tech leaders:
- Delegation, as many managers struggle to trust their team and let go of execution
- Difficult conversations, especially when managing former peers after internal promotions
- Prioritization and boundary-setting, including pushing back on unrealistic expectations from senior leadership
- Coaching and feedback skills, since foundational mentoring and performance feedback training are often missing
- Maintaining meaning at work by balancing operational tasks with engaging, growth-
oriented projects - Building trust by creating psychologically safe environments where teams feel supported and heard
Building a Stronger Tech Leadership Pipeline
Blue Aurora Solutions specializes in helping tech managers build the confidence, clarity, and leadership capabilities they need to succeed. By addressing burnout and investing in leadership development early, organizations can strengthen their leadership pipeline and retain both managers and top technical talent.
If your organization is ready to reduce manager burnout and develop stronger, more resilient tech leaders, we would love to help. Reach out to Blue Aurora Solutions to explore how we can support your managers and elevate leadership across your organization.