A Manager's Guide to Mitigating Burnout
Being a manager or business owner supporting small teams of 10-250 people often comes with little support and training on how to manage or prevent burnout in the team.
Experienced leaders will be able to identify the common signs of burnout including increased sickness, lower productivity, disengaged colleagues and poor customer experience. If your team is feeling overwhelmed, and you are unsure how to guide them through or prevent burnout, here are some insights to help you be their support system.
5 strategies to support your team in overcoming burnout.
1. Honest interactions about the causes
To combat burnout within your team, encourage open conversations about workload, stressors, and work-life balance. Through this type of dialogue you will identify themes that may have led to burnout. The process does not need to be formal necessarily, as even brief in-person and regular interactions with frontline teams could point to the common causes of burnout including excessive workload, ineffective communication, inadequate breaks, poor sleep, and an unhealthy work-life balance. Once identified, work collaboratively on solutions and relaxation techniques. Depending on the size of the team, cause of pain and type of work operation, the solutions will vary but most of all, a non-defensive enquiry, empathy and persistent effort will turn things around.
2. Encourage opportunities to introspect
Personal time isn't a luxury but a necessity. Away from work, team members are often struggling with complex personal dilemmas, act as carers for loved ones and experience financial distress or loneliness. Engaging in hobbies, spending time with loved ones, and taking breaks are all sources of energy to regain self composure or form helpful mechanisms to manage or improve personal situations outside of work. A group of individuals who prioritise both work and personal life are more likely to be productive, engaged, deliver better value to clients and less prone to burnout.
3. Schedules and communication channels that value rest
Client facing workers or deskless workers who are constantly on the move will regularly experience sleep depravation. Encourage a healthy sleep routine, limit late-night work, offer regular work schedules and create a restful environment. Quality sleep is an effective strategy for preventing burnout and boosting overall productivity.
4. Instil self awareness in a supportive environment
Work with your team to establish effective practices and resources within the workplace to manage work flows and capacity. Ensure they have scheduled breaks, regular meals, and know when to step away from work. Foster a culture where they feel comfortable expressing their capacity as well as being confident enough to delegate when appropriate. A well-managed and resourced schedule facilitates productivity, reduces stress, and provides more time for personal well-being.
5. Cultivate stress management techniques
Managing stress is traditionally left to individuals which can be isolating in itself. Recognise stress as a potential precursor to burnout. Modern work practice is to openly discuss or educate about stress management techniques such as regular exercise, deep breathing, and engaging in hobbies. Create an environment where your team feels supported in managing stress, fostering a healthier and more resilient work culture.
As a leader, your role is not only to drive productivity but to ensure the wellbeing of your team. Depending on your team and industry, you can explore how LACE can help mitigate burnout.
