Daisy Auger-Domínguez is a global force for change in the workplace, and I couldn’t be more excited to have her on the show. With an incredible resume that includes leading human capital practices at companies like Google, Disney, and Vice Media, Daisy has dedicated her life to creating healthier, more inclusive workplaces. Her books, Inclusion Revolution and Burnt Out to Lit Up, offer strategies to help leaders prioritize people, culture, and well-being in ways that drive success without burnout.
How to Navigate Burnout, Lead with Compassion, and Build Inclusive Workplaces with Daisy Auger-Domínguez
In our conversation, Daisy opens up about her own struggles with burnout and how it affected her body, her mind, and even her family. We dive into the symptoms of burnout, what it truly means, and how to spot the signs in yourself or your team. Daisy also shares how her journey as a first-generation Dominican immigrant and a woman of color has shaped her leadership style and her approach to helping others thrive. From navigating major crises, like the George Floyd moment while working as Chief People Officer at Vice, to finding tools that brought her back to balance, Daisy’s story is powerful, relatable, and filled with actionable advice.
This episode is about more than just burnout—it’s about rediscovering your light, showing up as your most authentic self, and learning how to create change in your world, starting from within. I know you’re going to feel seen, inspired, and equipped with tools to take care of yourself while also being a leader for others.
(00:03:24) The Cost of Burnout & Sustained Stress
• What burnout is and is not
• Read: Burnt Out to Lit Up by Daisy Auger-Domínguez
• Listen: FRIED. The Burnout Podcast
• Signs your body can give you when you are dealing with burnout
• The consequences of sustained stress
(00:11:12) Daisy’s Career Journey: From Burnt Out to Lit Up
• Daisy’s nonconventional and impressive career path at some of the largest companies
• What she learned during a sabbatical
• What happened to have her salary leaked while working in HR at Vice Media
• Navigating a personal and professional crisis at the same time
• How burnout can leak into home life and lead to isolation
(00:26:12) Practicing Compassionate Leadership & Identifying Signs of Burnout
• What Daisy did to take care of her mental health through burnout
• Advice for leaders and managers for identifying signs of burnout
• How to design a work environment that works for everyone
• Tools that help with nervous system regulation
• How Karena has dealt with anxiety in the workplace
• The number one thing leaders can do to support your team
(00:34:07) Building Inclusive & Equitable Workplaces
• Effectively implementing DEI in the workplace
• Read: Inclusion Revolution by Daisy Auger-Domínguez
• Should you be expected to leave your personal life at home?
• How to address pay equity
• Insight about what women of color face in the workplace
• The cost of the emotional burden placed on women
(00:42:48) Ways to Offer Support & Cultivate Joy at Work
• Signs you need to step in and help a coworker
• What you can do to step in and support someone
• The importance of finding joy in the workplace
Thanks for the support from our partners, including
THERAPY FOR ALL | Give now at thebigsilence.com/donate to bring change and help increase access to mental healthcare! Your donations support Therapy for All and increase access to mental health resources.
Guest Info:
• Website: daisyauger-dominguez.com
• Instagram: @daisyaugerdominguez
• LinkedIn: Daisy Auger-Domínguez
Resources:
• Start a conversation in your The Big Silence merch: thebigsilence.com/collections/shop-all
• Read: The Big Silence: A Daughter's Memoir of Mental Illness and Healing
• Follow Karena Dawn on Instagram: @karenadawn
• Follow The Big Silence on Instagram: @The.Big.Silence
• Subscribe: The Big Silence YouTube Channel
• Therapy For All: Resources for those in need
• Thank you to our partners! Go to thebigsilence.com/partners for special offers for our listeners
Donate to The Big Silence thebigsilence.com/donate to be a part of the movement to break the silence and make noise with us!
“The Big Silence” theme song written and performed by James Nicholas Kinney.
Producer, Bobby Goldstein.