From Burnout to Boundaries: What HR Can Teach Leaders About Sustainable Work with Kristen Deskin

CONNECT WITH JESSI ON LINKEDIN >>> HERE!What happens when the person holding everything together is the one who burns out?In the very first episode of At Work, Under Pressure, Jessi Beyer sits down with Kristen Deskin, SHRM-SCP, past president of the South King County SHRM chapter and an HR leader for small teams, to talk about burnout, boundaries, career pivots, and the deeply human side of workplace culture.Kristen did not start her career in HR. She began in early childhood education, working long hours, leading programs, and eventually experiencing the kind of burnout that forced her to step back and rebuild. That experience became part of what pulled her toward HR: the opportunity to advocate for employees, shape healthier workplace cultures, and help prevent others from reaching the same breaking point.In this episode, Kristen and Jessi discuss:Why burnout often happens before people realize they are in dangerHow leaders unintentionally model overwork for their teamsA practical way to ask your manager for help prioritizing without simply saying “no”The overlap between childcare, HR, leadership, and human behaviorWhy small-team HR can be such a powerful place to shape cultureHow SHRM and local HR communities can support career changersWhy self-empathy is not just a personal wellness tool, but a leadership skillKristen also shares the quote she already has tattooed on her body, the musical that recently made her cry, and the question she wants to leave for the next guest.This episode is for HR professionals, leaders, managers, founders, and anyone who has ever wondered whether setting a boundary means letting people down.CONNECT WITH KRISTEN:South King County SHRM Chapter