The Truth About Burnout
Today, the survey for the 2022 Global Burnout Study launches. This year, the research team is focusing on the impact of burnout on retention and turnover, and building on their 2021 study, which found that 34.7% of people were experiencing burnout.
Burnout was defined by the World Health Organization in 2019 as a ‘syndrome… resulting from chronic workplace stress’ which is characterized by 3 dimensions:
Exhaustion
Cynicism
Reduced Professional Efficacy
Some articles report burnout rates as high as 70 or 80%, however this data is misleading. It is often derived from simply asking people ‘do you feel burnt out right now’ rather than accurately measuring each of the three dimensions that comprise burnout. While many of us are under chronic workplace stress, and all of us are somewhere on the spectrum of burnout, these high numbers undermine the potency of the term ‘burnout’ as well as attempts to mitigate it.
Research shows that while most workplaces focus on wellness initiatives in order to reduce burnout, its true causes are not individual but organizational and systemic. In other words, to end burnout we need to fundamentally change the systems that govern how we work, and the beliefs and expectations we have of ourselves and others in the context of work.
Given the ongoing levels of stress to which many of us have been exposed at work and beyond in the last year, this research is both timely and highly relevant for Human Leaders everywhere. You can take part in the survey here, and feel free to share it with your network.
A slow, insidious burn
As individuals, one of the dangers of the nature of burnout is that once you are in a state of chronic stress, it can be hard to avoid full-blown burnout. That’s because when the sympathetic nervous system (which triggers your flight, fight, freeze or fawn response) is activated, you are zoomed in on the threat. You are trying vigilantly to end your exposure to whatever is causing you stress.
In this high-alert state, you often no longer have the perspective to see with clarity or compassion what is happening. You lose sight of your options. You become incapable of making objective, healthy decisions for your own welfare. You may start to get the sense of feeling lost.
That is one of the reasons taking care of your Wellbeing is a core component of Human Leadership. When you are burnt out, you are unable to lead yourself or others competently. Being vigilant about getting rest, nourishment and meeting your personal Wellbeing needs is essential not only to being a good leader, but to enjoying a healthy life.
Questions to Ask
Below are a few prompts about your work life, and any stress you might be experiencing. This does not constitute a diagnosis, or medical advice. Rather, these prompts are intended to help you see your own current situation more clearly and compassionately.
In relation to your work, if zero is completely calm and rested, and 10 is totally overwhelmed and exhausted, where would you put yourself on this scale right now?
How do you feel when you think about your work life? How do you feel about work when you wake up in the morning? Write down a few key words to describe your feelings about work.
How is your health generally? Have you experienced any changes to your health recently?
How healthy are your sleeping patterns? Do you generally feel well-rested?
How connected do you feel to the people around you? Have you withdrawn from your colleagues, friendships, or other relationships?
Have you noticed any changes in your behavior around food, coffee, alcohol, or other drugs, recently? If so, what has changed?
Do you find yourself thinking constantly, or even obsessively, about work?
How do you feel when you are not working — are you able to fully relax and disconnect?
Do you do work outside of your working hours? Do you take work with you on vacation? Are you available to your boss or colleagues outside of working hours?
What healthy coping mechanisms do you have for handling work-related stress? Describe what these coping mechanisms are, and how often you use them.
If you are starting to get the feeling that you are on your way to a burnout, talk to someone about what you are going through, right now. Whether it’s a trusted friend, a coach, a therapist, or your doctor. Reach out now.
Reflection: What do you think the results of the 2022 Global Burnout Study will show about burnout levels this year? Which steps are you taking to ensure you don’t end up in burnout?
