Remember: People Are Not Machines

Are your expectations realistic?

There’s a subtle but important truth that often gets lost in the pace and pressure of modern workplaces: people are not machines.

When deadlines pile up, targets tighten, and inboxes overflow, it’s easy to forget that the people we lead aren’t built to run on endless output. They’re human, with emotions, lives, and limits.

At MHScot, we see this often. Leaders rarely set out to push too hard or expect too much. It usually happens when busyness becomes the norm. But over time, unrealistic expectations quietly chip away at morale, performance, and wellbeing.

The productivity paradox

When people feel constantly stretched, productivity doesn’t increase. It declines.

• Stress rises. 
• Mistakes happen.
• Engagement drops.

And when burnout sets in, recovery takes far longer than prevention ever would have.

We wouldn’t expect a machine to keep running without maintenance. So why do we expect it from people?

A reality check for leaders

Take a moment to reflect on your expectations. Ask yourself, and your team, a few honest questions:

• Are workloads genuinely achievable, or are we relying on “going the extra mile” as standard?
• Do people feel safe saying they’re struggling, or do they hide it until it’s too late?
• When was the last time I encouraged rest, not just resilience?
• Are we rewarding overwork instead of balance?
• Do our goals leave room for real life: the unexpected, the emotional, the everyday stuff?
• These aren’t easy questions. But they are essential ones.

Leading with humanity

Leadership isn’t about squeezing more out of people. It’s about enabling them to thrive.

That means creating space for real conversations, setting realistic goals, and modelling healthy boundaries yourself.

When people feel seen, supported, and understood, they don’t just perform better. They stay longer, care more, and bring their best selves to work.

A final thought

Machines are built for efficiency.
People are built for connection, creativity, and growth.

When leaders remember that difference, workplaces transform.

At MHScot, we help organisations build mentally healthy cultures where people can do great work without losing themselves in the process.

MHScot Workplace Wellbeing CIC.