10/07/2026
Before you label her “disengaged,” ask yourself these questions first.
Has her output actually changed, or has her visibility changed? A high performer managing ADHD, burnout, or menopause symptoms often keeps the work moving, just more quietly. What changed in the last six to twelve months? Someone reliable for years doesn’t shift without a reason. And have you actually asked her, or have you built a story and acted on it?
“Disengaged” is a label managers reach for fast. It’s rarely the full picture, and it’s an expensive one to get wrong when the employee you lose was one of your best.
Save this for the manager in your life who needs to see it.