Strongwoman/Strongman Syndrome at Work. How Not to Take on Too Much?
Most of us have probably encountered such a person at work. They do everything themselves. They don’t ask for help. They don’t delegate tasks. They insist everything is fine. They stay after hours to get everything done on time. Sometimes it seems like asking for help would feel like failure to them. Interestingly, they don’t feel the same when others ask for support. This mindset is often connected to a sense of mission. These individuals sacrifice themselves “for the cause.” For the good of the project, the team, the clients, or the company’s mission. In such cases, we often refer to the so-called Siłaczka syndrome – named after the heroine of Żeromski’s novella.
Superwoman syndrome is a popular term used to describe people (not just women!). It refers to individuals who go out of their way to prove to themselves and others that they can handle everything on their own. Often, they do it unconsciously. They don’t like admitting to weaknesses or acknowledging their own limitations.
Sometimes this is a manifestation of the so-called Superwoman syndrome. The term was originally used in reference to women who place immense internal pressure on themselves. They strive to be perfect mothers, daughters, homemakers, and at the same time, accomplished professionals. However, this phenomenon also affects men and has a similar impact on them.
Other times, it may be a result of the Atlas syndrome. This occurs in people who had to take on adult roles and responsibilities from a young age. In some cases, the cause lies in a different combination of personal experiences and traits.
Consequences
Regardless of the underlying reasons, Superwoman syndrome can have serious consequences. It affects both the individual and their coworkers – and even the entire team. At first, such a person might seem extremely efficient and dependable. But over time, this way of operating leads to challenges. That’s because people with this syndrome tend to overextend themselves. They constantly seek validation, as their self-worth is often built on meeting other people’s expectations.
How does it affect daily life?
The behavior we describe as the Siłaczka (Strongwoman/Strongman) syndrome can have very negative effects on everyday life. It usually begins with small difficulties in handling daily responsibilities. For example, trying to take care of every task at work and at home. Often, it also includes taking full responsibility for raising children. Such a person may also carry the entire burden of emotional labor in relationships.
As a result, this person gradually starts to feel overwhelmed by the sheer number of “things to do.” This leads to chronic fatigue and growing stress. What’s more, the inability to share responsibilities may eventually result in feelings of loneliness and isolation.
At that point, thoughts like “No one ever helps me. I have to do everything myself” often appear. They are frequently accompanied by beliefs such as “If I don’t do it, no one will do it right” or “I don’t want to be a burden to anyone.”
Over time, this way of functioning can lead to serious health issues. For instance: sleep disorders, high blood pressure, depression, or burnout.
In everyday life, a person with this syndrome often avoids asking for help. They won’t reach out to coworkers, friends, or even family— even when the situation clearly calls for support. They see accepting help as a sign of weakness.
They give up rest to avoid showing they can’t keep up. Eventually, rest takes a back seat altogether, and every spare moment is spent catching up on duties. This person wants to prove they can manage everything on their own.
They also often struggle to admit mistakes. Why? Because they fear losing control or damaging their image as someone reliable. In truth, perfectionism often lies beneath this behavior.
And not just ambition or high standards. Rather, it’s an inner need to be perfect— or to be seen as perfect. To be someone who anticipates every problem and always delivers results. These patterns usually have deep roots.
Why does this happen?
The behaviors and beliefs described under the broad term “Siłaczka syndrome” can have various roots. As mentioned earlier, it may stem from an upbringing where self-reliance and independence were heavily emphasized from an early age. In such an environment, asking for help was associated with negative consequences—often emotional ones. For example, parents might visibly express disappointment when a child asked for support instead of handling things on their own.
As a result, receiving help from others may be perceived as something undesirable. This pattern often continues into adulthood. Such a person expects themselves to always be ready to act. They feel the need to meet all challenges without showing weakness.
Social expectations also play a role. The pressure to be “perfect” and the drive to succeed at all costs—especially on one’s own (“you are the master of your own fate”)—can further reinforce these beliefs. On top of that, the internalization of high standards often leads to excessive self-criticism and the need to achieve unattainable perfection.
Gender Differences
The findings from the study "Perfectionism in Adults: Associations with Gender and Socioeconomic Status"align with the above statement that perfectionism stems from societal pressures and affects both genders. However, women exhibited a higher level of so-called self-critical perfectionism than men. Women are more likely to internalize high standards, which can increase stress levels and negatively impact their mental health. They are also more susceptible to external pressures related to appearance, success, and self-esteem, leading to greater harshness towards themselves. It seems that these attitudes may stem from societal expectations placed on women.
Among men, this harshness toward themselves was less apparent. This may be due to social expectations that allow men to approach their own standards more flexibly. However, a certain level of this trait was still present. This suggests that despite facing less pressure toward self-criticism, men still strive to meet certain norms.
It’s important to note that the study was conducted on a small sample group. We also know that all participants were fluent English speakers. There is still a lack of large-scale research that includes cultural diversity among respondents.
Consequences of the Strongman/Strongwoman Syndrome in the Workplace
1. Burnout
An employee who cannot delegate tasks, acknowledge their limitations, or seek support is at risk of burnout. As a result, excessive workload, constant stress, and lack of rest can lead to exhaustion. Burnout may manifest as a loss of motivation, decreased efficiency, or even depression. Such individuals often begin to neglect their responsibilities. They may also struggle with concentration and decision-making.
Combined with the lack of a habit of asking for help, this can lead to a “fatigue spiral.” The person tries to catch up on work at the expense of rest. This deepens the fatigue, which in turn leads to even greater backlog.
2. Decline in Work Quality
Although a person with the Strongwoman or Strongman Syndrome may initially manage everything on their own, they are not able to maintain such a pace for long. Over time, it becomes impossible to work at full speed and still ensure high quality in the tasks performed. Focusing on too many responsibilities at once leads to decreased efficiency. Additionally, the lack of task delegation and neglect of personal development can lower the overall quality of work. Employees who don’t admit to their mistakes often avoid fixing them. As a result, the same errors start to repeat.
3. Lack of Team Collaboration
A person with the Strongwoman/Strongman Syndrome may avoid collaborating with other team members, fearing that accepting help will be interpreted as a sign of weakness – that they are not capable of handling things on their own. At the same time, they may also fear that closer cooperation will "reveal" their shortcomings and areas where they are not doing as well as they would like to be perceived. This attitude can lead to isolation within the team and weaken interpersonal relationships. Colleagues may feel unappreciated or ignored because the individual with the Strongwoman/Strongman Syndrome does not give them space to act, which affects the team's atmosphere.
4. Increased Tension and Frustration in the Team
If one team member refuses to delegate tasks but expects others to provide help, tensions may arise. Colleagues may begin to feel frustrated when they see that some responsibilities fall on them, while the person with the Strongwoman/Strongman Syndrome shows no willingness to collaborate. Such situations can lead to conflicts within the team.
5. Career Development Issues
A person with Strongwoman or Strongman Syndrome may miss out on opportunities for promotion or professional development. Their excessive independence and reluctance to ask for help are often perceived as a lack of teamwork skills. Additionally, constant overload with tasks makes it difficult to develop new competencies. The inability to delegate also limits space for learning and improving qualifications. All of this can negatively impact long-term career growth. This attitude is often linked to the belief that the employer should recognize the person’s efforts and propose a promotion. When this initiative doesn’t come, it leads to growing frustration and unmet expectations.
6. Job Dissatisfaction and Employee Turnover
If a person with Strongwoman or Strongman Syndrome takes on a leadership role, their attitude can impact the entire organization. Such a leader often expects the team to work in the same way—without asking for help, with full commitment, and without consulting others. This can lead to overload, excessive stress, and decreased job satisfaction. In extreme cases, this kind of atmosphere can cause high employee turnover. Teams don’t want to work in environments that lack support and openness to collaboration. Sometimes the opposite situation occurs—the Strongwoman as a leader may show excessive protectiveness toward the team. She then takes over employees’ responsibilities to relieve them, at the cost of her own health and efficiency. In such cases, it becomes difficult to assess the team’s actual workload, which complicates decisions about strengthening the team—for example, by hiring additional staff.
How to Deal with It?
- Acknowledge Your Limitations:The first step to overcoming Strongwoman/Strongman Syndrome is realizing that you don’t have to be perfect at everything—and that everyone needs help from time to time. It's important to acknowledge that mistakes and failures are a natural part of learning and personal growth.
- Rozmowa z bliskimi: It’s essential to learn how to talk to loved ones about your fears and needs. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, even if it feels difficult. Understanding that others want to help you can reduce feelings of loneliness and overwhelm.
- Learn to Delegate: Delegating tasks and responsibilities is a key element in dealing with Strongwoman/Strongman Syndrome. It’s worth practicing trust in others and accepting that there’s nothing wrong with relying on coworkers, friends, or family.
- Zadbaj o siebie: Rest, personal time, developing hobbies, or simply taking a break from responsibilities are important elements of a healthy life. That’s why it’s vital to learn how to set boundaries and care for your emotional and physical well-being instead of constantly striving for perfection.
- Professional Support: If Strongwoman/Strongman Syndrome leads to serious health or emotional issues, it's a good idea to seek help from a psychotherapist. Therapy can help uncover the roots of this behavior and offer effective strategies for coping with pressure.
Summary
Bibliography:
- Psychology Today. (2025). Overcoming Perfectionism in High-Achieving Women.
- Srivastwa, H. (2024). Perfectionism in Adults: Associations With Gender and Socioeconomic Status.
- Twój Styl. (n.d.). Syndrom Atlasa u kobiet – na czym polega i jak sobie pomóc?
- Raport Psychological Services. (n.d.). The Impact of Perfectionism on Women's Mental Health and How to Combat
- PubMed. (n.d.). The Role of Perfectionism in Mental Health Disorders: A Comprehensive Review.