Leading while Masking - The Unseen Burnout of Neurodivergent Women in Work

You’ve worked hard to get where you are. You lead teams. Make decisions. Hold it together in meetings and show up like a professional, even when you’re hanging on by a thread.

But lately, the cracks are showing. You feel foggy. Irritable. Your energy crashes in the middle of the day. Your confidence wavers.

If you’re a neurodivergent woman in a leadership role navigating menopause, you’re not weak. You’re carrying more than most people can see.

The Hidden Weight of Masking

Masking is the practice of consciously or unconsciously hiding your neurodivergent traits to fit into workplace norms. For many, it starts early. By the time you’re in a senior role, it’s second nature.

But masking comes at a cost:

•Constant self-monitoring

•Delayed emotional recovery

•Chronic fatigue

•Suppressed needs

•Isolation from peers who 'don’t get it'

And when menopause hits, the energy you once used to maintain the mask just isn’t there anymore.

The Risk of Burnout Is Real

Burnout isn’t just about overwork, it’s about emotional exhaustion from being chronically unseen. Add menopausal symptoms like sleep disruption, brain fog, and emotional stability, and you’re in danger of serious overwhelm.

Many high-functioning neurodivergent women say things like:

•"I feel like I’m slipping.”

•“I can’t keep up like I used to.”

•“I’m scared people will notice I’m struggling.”

But what’s really happening is this: your coping mechanisms need updating. Your support systems need expanding. And you need permission to lead in ways that don’t demand constant self-erasure.

Leading Differently Isn’t Failing

You don’t have to be 'on' all the time. You don’t have to meet every neurotypical standard of leadership. And you definitely don’t have to do it alone.

Here’s what sustainable leadership might include:

•Asking for flexibility without apologising

•Delegating more, masking less

•Normalising quiet leadership styles

•Building a support network that includes neurodivergent women

•Letting go of 'always available' expectations

This isn’t about lowering the bar. It’s about changing the rules to reflect who you are now, and how your leadership can evolve with authenticity.

Ready for Support That Actually Sees You?

You’re doing so much. And you shouldn’t have to burn out to be believed.

The From Brain Fog to Clarity workshop is your entry point into a deeper kind of support. From there, our group and 1:1 coaching programmes are designed to help you unmask, lead, and live without losing yourself.

Join us here:

https://inclusivechange.co.uk/brain-fog-to-clarity-workshop