Preventing burnout: A guide for a managers and employees
If you think someone on your team might be burned out, it’s often too late. The goal of this post is for you plan in advance to avoid burnout on your team altogether. If it’s too late, then learn your lesson for the rest of your team.
If you can’t convince someone to stay, don’t force it. It’s over. If you convince them to stay for more money, it will only be a matter of time before the cons continue to outweigh the pros and they leave anyway.
Burnout occurs when individuals experience prolonged stress, exhaustion, and a feeling of reduced accomplishment. It can lead to a loss of motivation, decreased job satisfaction, and even physical and mental health problems.
It’s critical to take steps to prevent burnout not just to avoid your employees leaving, but to set a precedent that you prioritize creating a psychologically safe, supportive work environment that values balance, rest and personal well-being.
Preventing burnout is equally the responsibility of the employee and the manager. It’s up to the manager to manage well, it’s up to the employee to speak up.
Remember, once you set a precedent, it’s much, much harder to change course and set a new one.
For employees
Set boundaries. One of the hardest but most effective things you can do to prevent burnout is to set boundaries between your work life and your personal life. This means establishing clear working hours and avoiding the temptation to check your work email outside of those hours. It also means taking regular breaks throughout the day and using your time off to recharge. It means saying no to hustle culture.
Triage. Another way to prevent burnout is to prioritize your tasks. Make sure that you are constantly evaluating what can be delegated and enterprise it into your systems. If you can’t, ask your boss straight up “What do you want me to de-prioritize to introduce this new deadline?”.
Be kind to yourself. Self care is rule #1 always no matter what. You are not your work and your work is not your life. Make sure you are getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly. Socialize with people who are not your coworkers. You may also find it helpful to practice relaxation techniques like meditation or yoga.
Learn to say no. When you take on too much work, you risk becoming overwhelmed and exhausted. Be honest with yourself and your manager about what you can and cannot handle.
Seek support. Be transparent and talk to your colleagues, manager, or HR department about how you are feeling. They may be able to provide you with resources or support to help you manage your workload and prevent burnout. At the very least, you are doing your due diligence by warning them.
As a manager
Set realistic expectations. A manager once said to me, “I know you don’t need full-time PR help because it takes like 5 minutes to send an email.” Dear reader, it does not take 5 minutes to send an email. Be clear about what you expect from your team and make sure you are not overloading them with work. Consider their workload, their strengths and weaknesses, and the time they need to complete their tasks, and then cool it with the nudging – everyone knows what their to-do list is.
Encourage time off. Make sure your team members take their vacation time and avoid contacting them when they are not at work, or use delayed send times for messages. You can also offer flexible working hours or remote working options to help your team maintain a healthy work-life balance.
Provide resources. Providing resources to help your team manage their workload and stress is essential. This could include training on time management or stress management techniques, providing access to mental health resources, or offering support for childcare or eldercare.
Foster the kind of work environment you want. Fostering a positive work environment can go a long way in preventing burnout among your team. Encourage open communication, provide feedback, and recognize your team's achievements. Create a culture of collaboration and teamwork to help your team feel supported and valued.
Lead by example WITHOUT double standards. As a manager, you need to lead by example when it comes to preventing burnout. Take time off when you need it, prioritize self-care, and avoid overworking yourself. This will show your team that taking care of yourself is essential. But if you do this and then expect your team to still be hustling, then you’re an asshole.
Do this now, and you’ll keep an engaged, rested, and energetic team together.
