How a Coffee Shop Manager Fought Burnout and Set a Course for Career Growth

Ulyana, head of distribution at Coffee Fresh, faced classic “growing pains”: constant urgency, self-doubt, and emotional burnout. A systematic approach to management, learned through an Executive MBA course, not only helped her bring order to her tasks but also set an ambitious goal: to become the company’s CEO.

Before the Training

Prior to her training at Business Booster, Ulyana’s workday was chaotic. Despite having a job description, her understanding of her tasks was superficial. She jumped into every problem at once, constantly “putting out fires,” which inevitably led to burnout and a feeling of ineffectiveness.

“I’ll be honest, there were moments when I just wanted to cry and give up,” Ulyana admits.

Obstacles to Effectiveness

• Lack of a systematic approach: Tasks were handled chaotically, without clear planning or prioritization.
• A reactive management style: Most of her time was spent on urgent, rather than strategic, tasks.
• Problems with delegation: She had a habit of doing everything herself and not trusting anyone. This hindered not only Ulyana's own development but also that of her subordinates.
• Emotional burnout: Constant overwork led to a lack of confidence in herself and her management skills.

Tools and Skills Acquired

By completing the Executive MBA program with a manager and the head of the qualifications department, Ulyana gained the necessary tools for systematic management. The key realization for her was the importance of delegation. She understood that by doing all the work herself, she was depriving her employees of the opportunity to grow, and that delegating tasks isn't just a way to ease her workload—it’s a manager's duty that helps the team develop.

Thanks to structured planning, Ulyana learned to allocate 1.5 to 2 hours a day for training and strategic tasks, regardless of her operational workload.

The training also helped her develop persistence and higher standards while maintaining a positive attitude with her team. As a result, Ulyana says applying the new knowledge has made her work 80% easier and more effective.

Results That Speak for Themselves

• Self-confidence: Ulyana notes that she has become more confident, not just at work but in her personal life, too.
• Stepping out of operations: Instead of solving urgent issues, she focused on managerial functions and strategic development.
• Career ambitions: The knowledge and self-confidence she gained allowed Ulyana to set a new goal: to become the CEO of Coffee Fresh.

Why This Case is Useful for Managers

This is a powerful example of how a systematic approach to management and working on one’s own competencies can dramatically change not only a manager's effectiveness but also their career trajectory. Ulyana went from emotional burnout and self-doubt to a clear vision of her future and ambitious plans for company development.

If her story resonates with you and you feel you are burning out, we invite you to take our diagnostic test, “How is Burnout Destroying Your Business?”. It will help you see, without sugarcoating, how stress levels, being immersed in operations, and delegation problems are affecting your results. Take the first step to understand what’s holding back your growth and begin your journey from “putting out fires” to strategic management and new career heights.