High Achievers, Hidden Struggles: Parentification in the Workplace

In this eye-opening episode of Manager to Manager, Kamaria sits down with HR consultant Dawn Sipley to explore the fascinating concept of "parentification" – when children take on adult responsibilities too early – and how it shapes workplace behaviors long into adulthood. Dawn shares her remarkable personal journey from raising her sister at age 13 to building successful businesses, revealing how her early experiences created both superpowers and challenges in her professional life. Together, they unpack how parentification manifests in the workplace through high achievement, boundary issues, and complex relationships with authority. If you've ever wondered why some team members seem to take on every challenge yet struggle with delegation, or why others excel at crisis management but resist support, this conversation offers powerful insights. You'll discover practical strategies for: Identifying signs of parentification in your high performers Creating psychological safety for team members with colorful backgrounds Approaching unexpected behaviors with curiosity instead of judgment Building consistent leadership that supports everyone's growth Whether you recognize these patterns in your team members or in yourself as a leader, this episode provides a compassionate framework for understanding the deeper stories behind workplace behaviors – and how to lead with greater awareness and impact. Show Notes Guest Bio: Dawn Sipley is the founder of Simply the Best, an HR consulting company focused on helping businesses hire, fire, and lead their people effectively. Drawing from her background in staffing and her personal journey through childhood adversity, Dawn brings a unique perspective on how our formative experiences shape our professional lives. Connect with Dawn on LinkedIn. Want to keep this conversation going? The Manager to Manager Community is a space for people leaders who are doing the work — and want to do it with more support, more clarity, and less isolation. Inside, you’ll find: Real conversations (like this one) that you’re probably not having at work Monthly meet-ups, coaching sessions, and resource drops A space to build your confidence, your systems, and your leadership — without having to pretend you’ve got it all figured out Join the waitlist. We’d love to have you in the room.