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#109: Cognitive Overload at Work: What’s Really Going On?
Something feels off at work, and it’s not just you.
We are experiencing unprecedented levels of cognitive demand in the modern workplace. People are exhausted, struggling to prioritize, struggling to focus, and struggling to make decisions. And yet we keep reaching for resilience training and wellness programs as the answer.
In this episode, we get into what cognitive overload actually is and how to spot it. We talk about why individual solutions alone won’t fix a system problem, and what both individuals and leaders can actually do about it.
We also get into how we got here: the addiction to constant connectivity, hybrid work blurring the boundaries between work and life, AI accelerating the rate of change, and workplaces that now reward responsiveness over effectiveness.
And we close with an honest answer to a hard question: are we positive about where this is going?
Our Guest: Debbie Pearmain
Debbie Pearmain is a dynamic executive coach and leadership consultant who specializes in unlocking the potential of people, teams, and workplace cultures. With over 25 years of experience in leadership development, workplace culture, and employee engagement, she partners with organizations to drive higher performance, stronger collaboration, and resilient, values-based leadership.
Debbie has worked as a consultant, facilitator, and coach with globally recognized organizations, including Accenture, Global Knowledge, LHH Knightsbridge, DDI, Homewood Health, Gallagher, and TELUS Health. Her coaching style blends strategic insight with a practical, people-first lens—supporting leaders to navigate complexity, strengthen decision-making, and inspire sustainable change within their teams and organizations.
A thought leader with Erickson Coaching International, Debbie contributes to the advancement of the coaching profession through leadership insight, applied practice, and thought leadership. She is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at conferences and industry events on topics such as Resilient Leadership, Creating Cultures of Accountability, Emotional and Positive Intelligence, and Employee Engagement.
Known for her ability to connect, challenge, and empower, Debbie creates safe yet high-impact coaching spaces where leaders gain clarity, confidence, and capability. She is deeply passionate about helping organizations build workplaces where people and performance thrive together.
Debbie is an ICF-certified coach and holds certifications as a Flourishing Life Coach and Flourishing Workplace Coach. She is also certified in emotional intelligence, personality, resilience, and leadership assessments, enabling her to integrate robust data with human-centered coaching for meaningful and measurable outcomes.
References:
Debbie Lang Pearmain LinkedIn profile
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By Matteo Casini
5
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Something feels off at work, and it’s not just you.
We are experiencing unprecedented levels of cognitive demand in the modern workplace. People are exhausted, struggling to prioritize, struggling to focus, and struggling to make decisions. And yet we keep reaching for resilience training and wellness programs as the answer.
In this episode, we get into what cognitive overload actually is and how to spot it. We talk about why individual solutions alone won’t fix a system problem, and what both individuals and leaders can actually do about it.
We also get into how we got here: the addiction to constant connectivity, hybrid work blurring the boundaries between work and life, AI accelerating the rate of change, and workplaces that now reward responsiveness over effectiveness.
And we close with an honest answer to a hard question: are we positive about where this is going?
Our Guest: Debbie Pearmain
Debbie Pearmain is a dynamic executive coach and leadership consultant who specializes in unlocking the potential of people, teams, and workplace cultures. With over 25 years of experience in leadership development, workplace culture, and employee engagement, she partners with organizations to drive higher performance, stronger collaboration, and resilient, values-based leadership.
Debbie has worked as a consultant, facilitator, and coach with globally recognized organizations, including Accenture, Global Knowledge, LHH Knightsbridge, DDI, Homewood Health, Gallagher, and TELUS Health. Her coaching style blends strategic insight with a practical, people-first lens—supporting leaders to navigate complexity, strengthen decision-making, and inspire sustainable change within their teams and organizations.
A thought leader with Erickson Coaching International, Debbie contributes to the advancement of the coaching profession through leadership insight, applied practice, and thought leadership. She is a sought-after speaker who regularly presents at conferences and industry events on topics such as Resilient Leadership, Creating Cultures of Accountability, Emotional and Positive Intelligence, and Employee Engagement.
Known for her ability to connect, challenge, and empower, Debbie creates safe yet high-impact coaching spaces where leaders gain clarity, confidence, and capability. She is deeply passionate about helping organizations build workplaces where people and performance thrive together.
Debbie is an ICF-certified coach and holds certifications as a Flourishing Life Coach and Flourishing Workplace Coach. She is also certified in emotional intelligence, personality, resilience, and leadership assessments, enabling her to integrate robust data with human-centered coaching for meaningful and measurable outcomes.
References:
Debbie Lang Pearmain LinkedIn profile
Listen to the next Episode
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