Burnt Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People

by Daisy Auger-Dominguez

A timely and incisive resource for business leaders and people managers struggling with complacency and burnout in this rapidly evolving world of work

Facing the challenges of global cultural, commercial, political, and technological shifts, managers are in dire need of strategies to move from survival to revival.

Burnt Out to Lit Up: How to Reignite the Joy of Leading People by Daisy Auger-Domínguez illuminates the often overlooked and difficult aspects of management and offers a lifeline for managers struggling to adapt and thrive. Crafted by a seasoned executive with experience at companies like Disney, Google, and VICE Media, this book delivers a rich blend of inspiration and practical tools for today's managers.

Through a compelling mix of personal anecdotes, research-backed insights, and actionable strategies, Auger-Domínguez walks business leaders and people managers down a path designed to reignite the passion and drive necessary for effective leadership. This book is for you if your work life leaves you seeking:

Rest, inspiration, and a renewed enthusiasm for your work
Techniques to help managers understand themselves, each other, and the members of their teams
Strategies for dealing with, and helping your teams deal with, unexpected and dramatic workplace upheavals - be they layoffs, organizational shifts, financial restructurings, global health crises, and more
Tactics to reignite your own passion for your role and share your enthusiasm with your teams in an approach that motivates and uplifts

Whether you're leading a small team or an entire organization, this book is the roadmap you need to overcome obstacles, re-energize your leadership, and achieve new levels of success. Discover how to transform your approach to management and create a more engaged, motivated, and thriving workplace with Burnt Out to Lit Up.

Genres: Business, Leadership, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published September 18, 2024

About the author

DAISY AUGER-DOMÍNGUEZ is a global leader and recognized authority on the evolution of work and leadership. She has led human capital practices at Vice Media, Google, The Walt Disney Company, and Moody’s Investors Service. Her advisory firm, Auger-Domínguez Ventures, bridges the gap between how organizations should work and how they actually work through coaching, and virtual and in-person keynotes. Daisy is the author of Inclusion Revolution, a TEDx speaker, a LinkedIn Top Voice, and a contributor to the Harvard Business Review. Her contributions have earned her many accolades, including Hispanic Executive’s Top 10 Leaders, People en Español’s 25 Most Powerful Women, the ADCOLOR Legend award, Brooklyn Community Services’ Social Impact award, and many others. Daisy serves on the Board of Trustees at Bucknell University, her alma mater. She lives in Brooklyn, NY, with her husband and daughter.

Reviews

[Jenny Hill · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Burnt Out to Lit Up" by Daisy Auger-Domínguez (she/her/ella) is a timely gem for any modern leader, whether in a corporate or entrepreneurial setting. This book delivers a powerful message: our work can be both life-changing and rewarding without sacrificing our sense of worth, identity, and purpose.

Dominguez writes about how to recognize the subtle signs of burnout and its detrimental effects on our energy, potential, and confidence. She emphasizes the importance of self-awareness and intentionality in creating a safe and supportive environment where everyone can thrive. By prioritizing our own well-being, we can foster a culture that empowers others to do their best work without succumbing to burnout.

Drawing from her extensive experience as an HR executive and Chief People Officer at leading organizations (Disney, Time Warner, Google, Moody's, Microsoft), Dominguez shares her expertise with a refreshing blend of raw honesty and conversational warmth. It feels like receiving guidance from a trusted mentor and friend who genuinely wants you to succeed.

Everyone's path through burnout recovery and prevention is totally unique and Daisy gives a great toolbox to help you discover what works best for you and your team.

This book is a must-read for anyone looking to become a more conscious and effective leader and giving your best to every area of your life and inspiring others to do the same.

[Nancy Di Dia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy Auger-Domínguez’s Burnt Out to Lit Up is an absolute gem. As someone who has the privilege of calling Daisy a friend, I can attest that her insights on leadership, belonging, and fostering psychological safety are as genuine and impactful as she is. From the very first page, her words felt both timely and transformative.

What I truly loved were the scripts at the end of each chapter—practical tools that managers can use to embrace vulnerability and create inclusive spaces for their teams. These aren’t just theoretical ideas—they’re tried-and-true techniques that make a real difference.

Daisy’s honesty about the challenges of being a C-suite leader is what makes this book so special. She doesn’t sugarcoat the hard stuff but instead offers relatable stories and bold, actionable steps for creating meaningful change. Her reflections, paired with her courageous and thoughtful approach, make this a must-read for anyone passionate about building workplaces where people not only feel they belong but are also inspired to connect with their "why" and embrace their purpose.

[Sherice Torres · Rating 5 out of 5]

Daisy Auger-Dominguez shares critical tools for leadership success in her latest book. From practical, simple guidance to sharing deeply vulnerable personal stories, Auger-Dominguez practices what she preaches as a business leader. I was inspired to take my own "radical sabbatical" after reading this book, and I will use the guidelines to both manage my own burnout meter and effectively support my teams when I return to work. Thank you, Daisy, for this incredible book. This is how we should do work now - and well into the future.