Burnout: How Far Down the Road Are You?
There’s a quarter to go in 2024, so I must ask… How are you feeling? If you’re hitting the wall and all you can do after the last Team’s call is crash on your sofa and zone out, you’re not alone. Remote and hybrid work has contributed to a surge in burnout. As leaders, the question is not whether you and your employees have this problem but how far down the road you are.
Let’s take a moment to assess…
Understanding Burnout
The World Health Organisation defines burnout as a syndrome resulting from chronic and unmanaged workplace stress. It refers specifically to our relationship with work and is not just an individual employee problem; it’s an organisational one. It’s characterised by three dimensions:
• Feelings of exhaustion.
• Increased mental distance from one’s job, feelings of negativity related to one’s job.
• Reduced professional efficacy.
Jennifer Moss shared a 2020 Burnout survey detailing the pandemic’s impact on the well-being of professionals. It shows that work-life balance is worsening, well-being has declined, and burnout is rising.
When we fast forward to 2023 and 2024, we see a continuation of the problem. Mercer’s Global Talent Trends Study 2024 says 57 % of employees work longer hours, and 82 % are at risk of burnout.
What are the root causes?
According to Christina Maslach of the University of California, Berkeley, Susan E. Jackson of Rutgers, and Michael Leiter of Deakin University (2012), The six main reasons for burnout are:
• Unsustainable workload
• Perceived lack of control
• Insufficient rewards for effort
• Lack of a supportive community
• Lack of fairness
• Mismatched values and skills
5 Stages of Burnout
Veninga and Spradley’s Model of Job Burnout suggests we pass through 5 stages to total burnout.
Stage one is called “honeymoon.” It’s about job satisfaction and commitment. When intensive stress occurs, you proactively manage it by taking time to rejuvenate. Your coping mechanisms are positive.
Stage two is “balancing act.” You recognise you’re not handling your stress well. Some days are worse than others. There’s work dissatisfaction, inefficiency, fatigue, and disturbed sleep. Escapism may develop and show up in long hours on Netflix, increased drinking and comfort eating.
Stage three is “chronic symptoms,” and is a worsening of the previous stage. You’re dealing with chronic exhaustion, somatic conditions, and physical illness. There’s anger and depression, and your coping mechanisms are poor.
Stage four is “crisis.” Your physical symptoms intensify. You’re pessimistic, obsessed with work frustrations, and self-doubt kicks in. Your negativity increases, and you develop an escapist mentality.
The fifth and final stage is “enmeshment” – or “burnout case.” It’s an intense physical and emotional condition. You’ve hit the bottom.
What Can You Do?
As your coach, I’m asking you to reflect on these questions as an individual…
• What stage of burnout are you at?
• How realistic is your workload?
• What is in your control?
• Can you celebrate something today? Tiny or big, what did you accomplish?
• Who can you ask for support?
• Is your work aligned with your values and skills?
Then, as a leader, reflect on these…
• Can you recognise burnout symptoms in your employees?
• How is the organisation’s workload?
• Can you provide employees with more flexibility?
• How often do you provide positive feedback?
• How well do you make use of the skills of employees?
• Do you walk the talk? How is your work-life balance?
Create a Space to Thrive
Change Partners can support your journey to well-being. We’ll help you identify the stage of burnout you and your employees are at and develop a strategy to overcome it.
Our Leadership Development, One-to-one Coaching and Group Coaching initiatives create effective coping mechanisms for leaders in high-pressure environments. They also help enhance your relationship with work.
We’ll help you make a meaningful investment into the mental health of your employees and create a space where they flourish and enjoy an inspired work experience.
With a diverse team of professionals experienced in unlocking leadership excellence, and tuned to the future of leadership development, Change Partners is perfectly positioned to help you advance.
Pauliina Mapatha is an International Executive Coach at Change Partners with a wealth of experience in leadership development, wellbeing, and coaching for burnout recovery. Contact her at pauliinamapatha@change.co.za or on +27 (0)72 215 8797 to create a life of wellness.
