And while I fully support both, let’s be honest—when cynicism sets in, neither a nap nor a joke is enough to pull you out of it.
You know that moment when someone shares a new initiative, and instead of feeling inspired, your brain instantly goes Oh sure, that’ll work—heavy on the sarcasm?
Or when you find yourself rolling your eyes before a meeting even starts?
Or when the phrase I’m just here so I don’t get fired basically becomes your work mantra?
That’s cynicism creeping in.
And while a little side-eye can be cathartic, too much of it signals something deeper: exhaustion, disillusionment, maybe even burnout.
So, let’s talk about what cynicism looks like, why it shows up, and what to do about it.
And you. And you. And you!
Why cynicism creeps in
Cynicism doesn’t just appear out of nowhere—it grows in environments where people feel unheard, overworked, or undervalued.
🎯 It’s not just a bad habit; it’s a reaction to real frustration.
I know because I’ve been there.
I once had a supervisor who would tell me one thing (Yes, go ahead and hire for that position), only for me to find out from HR that she had just told them No, she can’t post it.
That kind of gaslighting wears you down.
Another time, a different supervisor would act as though he was out raising money for my department, but year after year, my steadfast donors’ contributions dwindled.
Their gifts were being redirected elsewhere.
At first, I tried to push through.
Then, one day, my cynicism showed up loud and clear—I made a snarky comment about a colleague not believing we had the support we thought we had.
And honestly? At that moment, I realized I didn’t believe it either.
That’s how cynicism works.
It starts as frustration, turns into skepticism, and before you know it, you’re rolling your eyes at every new initiative, assuming nothing will change.
It happens when: ✅ Leadership is ineffective, avoiding hard decisions or failing to follow through ✅ You have to justify your work over and over, fighting for buy-in that never quite materializes ✅ Resources are always stretched too thin, with no real investment in staff or strategy ✅ New initiatives come and go without lasting impact, making it hard to trust the next big idea ✅ Your contributions go unnoticed, or worse, get repackaged as someone else’s idea
Cynicism isn’t about being difficult—it’s about self-preservation.
Reader, if you’ve felt any of these frustrations, your reaction is completely valid.
But the question is: What now?
What to do about it
If you recognize yourself in any of the above, don’t panic.
Cynicism isn’t permanent—but it does require attention.
It’s something I help my coaching clients work through all the time.
Whether they’re feeling stuck, exhausted, or disillusioned, we focus on shifting out of cynicism and back into purpose-driven leadership.
Here’s how to shift out of it:
1️⃣ Take a step back Are you cynical about everything or just certain areas? Is it a you problem (burnout, exhaustion) or an environment problem (toxic culture, lack of leadership)? Naming the source helps.
2️⃣ Refuel your energy Cynicism often masks deeper exhaustion. Are you taking real breaks? Sleeping? Getting outside? Engaging in things that bring you joy? (And no, scrolling Instagram with a raised eyebrow doesn’t count.)
3️⃣ Reconnect with purpose Remember why you started. What used to excite you about your work? Who benefits from what you do? If that connection feels too distant, it might be time to reevaluate your role or environment.
4️⃣ Get around solution-oriented people Misery loves company—but so does progress. Surround yourself with people who acknowledge challenges but still believe in action. If you’re in a cynicism spiral, talking to someone with a fresh perspective can be a game-changer.
5️⃣ Consider a change If cynicism is constant, it might not be you—it might be the system you’re in. If no amount of rest or perspective shift makes a difference, it may be time to explore new options.
The bottom line
That Irish proverb might be onto something—because while cynicism doesn’t fade overnight, laughter and rest do help.
But so does recognizing the root of the problem and taking action.
So if cynicism is creeping in, don’t ignore it. Pay attention to what it’s telling you.
Small shifts—rest, perspective, re-engagement—can help.
And if they don’t? It might be time for a bigger change.
What about you? How do you check yourself when cynicism starts creeping in?
