As a leader, it’s your responsibility to not only support your burned-out managers but also to prevent burnout from becoming a recurring issue. Here are six practical strategies to help recharge your weary managers and keep them at their best.
Section 1: Recognize and Acknowledge Burnout
The first step in combating burnout is to recognize and acknowledge its presence. This involves showing empathy and concern for your managers, making them feel seen and understood. It’s not just about identifying the signs of burnout – the chronic fatigue, the cynicism, the lack of motivation – but also about acknowledging the toll it takes on the individual.
A study has shown that a simple, meaningful thank you note or compliment can go a long way in making someone feel valued and appreciated. It’s about creating an environment where people feel comfortable expressing their struggles without fear of judgment or reprisal.
Consider the story of Sarah, a high-performing manager in your team. She had always been a star performer, but recently, you noticed a change. She seemed constantly tired, less enthusiastic, and her performance was slipping. Instead of reprimanding her, you chose to have a conversation. You acknowledged her burnout, expressed your concern, and thanked her for her hard work. This simple act of recognition and empathy made Sarah feel seen and understood, and it was the first step towards her recovery.
Summary: Recognizing and acknowledging burnout can help managers feel seen and understood, which is the first step towards addressing the issue.
Section 2: Foster Personal Connections
Creating opportunities for personal connection, both in person and virtually, can counter feelings of isolation that often accompany burnout. Encourage managers to share their challenges and successes with their peers, fostering a sense of community and mutual support. Regular check-ins and one-on-one conversations can also help remind your managers that they are not alone in their struggles.
In the digital age, where remote work is becoming increasingly common, fostering personal connections is more important than ever. It’s about creating a sense of community, where managers can share their challenges and successes with their peers. It’s about reducing the feelings of isolation that can come with burnout and creating a sense of being “in it together.”
Consider the story of Mike, a manager in your team who was struggling with burnout while working remotely. He felt isolated and disconnected from his peers. To help him, you started organizing regular virtual team-building activities and encouraged open communication within the team. This not only helped Mike feel more connected but also created a supportive community that helped him navigate his burnout.
Summary: Personal connections can counter feelings of isolation and foster a supportive community, helping managers combat burnout.
Section 3: Reassess, Reprioritize, and Redistribute Work
Burnout often stems from an excessive and unrelenting volume of work. As a leader, it’s crucial to reassess and reprioritize tasks, ensuring that the workload is sustainable. Consider redistributing work or advocating for additional resources, such as hiring more people or engaging outside contractors, to manage peak periods.
When managers are burned out, it’s often due to an excessive, unrelenting volume of work. As new priorities emerge, existing projects do not get de-prioritized. Everything becomes important and stays on their plate, making the workload unsustainable. It’s crucial to reassess and reprioritize tasks, ensuring that the workload is sustainable.
Consider the story of Lisa, a manager in your team who was juggling multiple high-priority projects. She was showing signs of burnout, and you knew something had to change. You sat down with her, reassessed her workload, and together, you reprioritized her tasks. You also advocated for additional resources to help manage the workload. This not only helped Lisa manage her burnout but also improved the team’s overall productivity.
Summary: Reassessing, reprioritizing, and redistributing work can help manage the workload and prevent burnout.
Section 4: Revise Team Agreements
Revising team agreements about how you all work together can help reduce micro-stresses and create a more conducive working environment. This could involve establishing specific non-meeting days for focused work or giving each other permission to push back or say no when necessary.
In a fast-paced work environment, micro-stresses can quickly add up and contribute to burnout. These are the small, everyday stressors that, while seemingly insignificant on their own, can accumulate over time and take a toll on a person’s mental health. Revising team agreements about how you all work together can help reduce these micro-stresses and create a more conducive working environment.
Consider the story of John, a manager in your team who was struggling with burnout. He was constantly bombarded with meetings and requests, leaving him with little time for focused work. To help him, you revised the team agreements, establishing specific non-meeting days and giving team members permission to push back or say no when necessary. This not only helped John manage his burnout but also improved the team’s overall efficiency.
Summary: Revising team agreements can reduce stress and create a more empowering and efficient working environment.
Section 5: Regular Check-ins
Regular check-ins with your managers can help identify areas where they are feeling overwhelmed and provide an opportunity for you to offer support and guidance. These check-ins should be more than just status updates; they should be opportunities for open and honest communication, where managers feel comfortable expressing their struggles and concerns.
Consider the story of Emily, a manager in your team who was showing signs of burnout. You started having regular check-ins with her, providing a safe space for her to express her concerns and struggles. These conversations helped you identify areas where she was feeling overwhelmed, and together, you came up with strategies to manage her workload and stress levels.
Summary: Regular check-ins can help identify issues early and provide necessary support to managers.
Section 6: Encourage Time Off
Encourage your managers to take their vacation time. It can be tempting to skip vacations when there’s a lot to do, but taking time off to relax and reset is crucial for preventing burnout. Time off allows managers to step away from the pressures of work, recharge their batteries, and return with renewed energy and motivation.
Consider the story of David, a manager in your team who was always the first to arrive and the last to leave. He rarely took time off, even when he was showing signs of burnout. You encouraged him to take his vacation time, emphasizing the importance of rest and relaxation. Reluctantly, he agreed. When he returned, he was more energized and motivated, and his performance improved significantly.
Summary: Encouraging time off can help managers relax and reset, preventing burnout.
Conclusion: A Multi-Pronged Approach to Preventing Burnout
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to preventing burnout. It requires a combination of strategies, from recognizing and acknowledging burnout to reassessing workloads and encouraging time off. As a leader, your role is to support and recharge your managers, helping them stay energized, engaged, and motivated.
Preventing and managing burnout is a crucial aspect of leadership. It’s about creating an environment where managers feel supported, valued, and empowered. It’s about recognizing the signs of burnout and taking proactive steps to address it.
And most importantly, it’s about treating your managers as people, not just employees, and acknowledging the human aspect of work. By doing so, you can help your managers recharge, prevent burnout, and create a healthier, more productive work environment.
