Watch Out For Burnout In Leadership – Your Team Needs You!

It is difficult to predict when burnout could take place, but it’s impossible to miss when it’s already a reality. Don’t miss the warning signs. 

You’re always tired. Your productivity is low. You’re uncharacteristically irritable. You’ve developed a sour or fatalistic outlook. You may have even developed physical symptoms like headaches, stomach upset, or chronic tension. 

This indicates the way you approach your job and life has become unbalanced and may pose a potential risk to your overall well-being. As leaders, we must set an example for our teams and peers regarding healthy work-life harmony. 

Here are 4 strategies for overcoming and preventing burnout:

Take A Temporary Step Back and Return Incrementally

Even if you can only take a day or two, use this time to rest your body and reset your mind. Then, come back for a few hours less each day and work your way back up to full-time as you’re restored to your full capacity. 

Reevaluate Your Goals and Expectations

This is the perfect time to assess your current situation. Have you taken on too much? Is this role still aligned with your career goals? Are you equipped to meet the expectations of your current position? 

Cultivate Personal Resilience 

Resilience is the ability to keep going strong without sacrificing your well-being. Start today by nurturing a positive mindset, engaging in confidence-boosting hobbies, journaling, meditation, mindfulness, and developing a network of happy people.

Increase Production Capacity 

Have you ever heard of the idea of increasing your production capacity? Stephen R. Covey explores the concept in his book, “7 Habits of Highly Effective People.” The core idea is that merely aiming to increase production without expanding your capacity can lead to hitting a burnout wall, limiting your progress. Engaging in activities that enhance your production capacity—such as adopting a workout routine or dedicating time for lunch—can be transformative and serve as a buffer against burnout.

Here are additional strategies to stave off burnout and elevate your production capacity:

• Delegate tasks or responsibilities more effectively.
• Cultivate and sustain a well-structured work/life balance.
• Create a process for setting priorities and sticking to them. 
• Learn to say no when necessary.

Be A Leader Worth Following

To learn more about strengthening your effectiveness and success as a leader, check out the latest Handler Report: The Choices We Make As Transformational Leaders.