Reflecting on a Transformative Mental Health Training
Title: “The Curse of the Competent Middle: Breaking Free from the In-Between”
Facilitator: Dr. Maureen Salami
Recently, participants had the privilege of attending a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant mental health training led by, Dr. Maureen Salami.
The session, titled “The Curse of the Competent Middle: Breaking Free from the In-Between,” addressed a rarely discussed but deeply relatable phenomenon: the psychological toll of being consistently competent, yet feeling stuck in the “middle”—neither celebrated as a rising star nor supported as someone visibly in need.
Dr. Salami opened the session by unpacking the concept of the “Competent Middle.” These are individuals who carry significant workloads, perform reliably, and often go unnoticed precisely because they are so dependable. Far from being underperformers, they are the backbone of many organizations and communities—but their steady competence becomes a double-edged sword. Over time, this leads to burnout, invisibility, and internalized pressure to maintain high standards without recognition or relief.
Through a mix of psychological theory, real-world case studies, and guided self-reflection exercises, Dr. Salami helped participants explore:
The internal narratives that keep people trapped in roles of silent responsibility
The emotional fatigue that arises from constantly holding others up while feeling unsupported
The societal and organizational dynamics that reinforce this “in-between” state
Practical strategies for asserting boundaries, reclaiming agency, and advocating for one’s mental health and career progression
A key takeaway from the session was the importance of self-validation and strategic vulnerability.
Dr. Salami emphasized that being “in the middle” is not a failure, but a reflection of unrecognized leadership potential. She encouraged participants to reframe their competence not as a burden to be quietly endured, but as a platform from which they can begin to set new terms for their engagement—both professionally and personally.
The session concluded with a powerful group reflection, where participants shared experiences of feeling “seen” for the first time. The collective realization was both healing and galvanizing: breaking free from the competent middle is not about stepping away from responsibility—but about stepping into one’s full worth.
This training was more than a workshop; it was a mirror and a movement—a call to reclaim mental well-being and rewrite the narratives that keep competent individuals bound to quiet exhaustion.