How to Reframe Burnout in the Workplace

The solution to burnout isn't teaching employees resilience - it's designing roles that don't require heroic efforts to sustain. So stop offering more wellness programs or productivity tips. The research points to a more fundamental solution: how we design work itself. New research by Sharon K. Parker and Caroline Knight identifies 5 key elements that make work engaging and sustainable: 🪴 Stimulating work that challenges without overwhelming 🎯 Mastery through clear roles and meaningful feedback 🔑 Autonomy over how and when work gets done 🤝 Relational connections that provide support and meaning ⚖️ Tolerable demands that respect human limits What strikes me most? The research emphasizes that Tolerable Demands is one of the most powerful levers for preventing burnout - and in my decade+ of coaching leaders, it's the place I focus first. It's common sense, honestly. With 67% of workers disengaged and half planning to quit, our 'whatever it takes' culture clearly isn't working - particularly in sectors like government, education, and nonprofits where burnout hits hardest. 💡 Which of these elements does your organization excel at, and which needs more attention? #WorkDesign #OrganizationalHealth #Leadership #Burnout Image: MIT Sloan Management Review

Let’s be honest, some workplaces feel more like pressure cookers than places of purpose. Deadlines. Back-to-back meetings. Constant alerts. And somewhere in all of it… you forget to breathe. But people aren’t productivity robots. We’re human. And our ability to perform is directly tied to how well we’re doing mentally and emotionally. Here’s the problem: Too many workplaces still run on outdated norms: “Just push through.” “Sleep when you’re dead.” “If you’re not stressed, you’re not working hard enough.” But burnout doesn’t happen because people are weak. It happens because we’ve been conditioned to ignore our own well-being. Imagine instead hearing:  🔹 “Take care of yourself, we need you well, not worn out.” 🔹 “Your presence matters more than your productivity today.” 🔹 “It’s okay to pause. Clarity comes when you slow down.” 🔹 “You don’t need to have all the answers right now.” 🔹 “Let’s take 5 minutes to reset, your mental health matters.” 🔹 “You’re not alone in this. How can I support you?” 🔹 “Progress is more important than perfection.” 🔹 “It’s okay to feel overwhelmed. Let’s work through it together.” These are the phrases that build resilient cultures. Not just “feel-good” statements but scientifically backed shifts that lower stress, increase clarity, and create trust. Here are a few small but powerful things you can do: 1. Take 60 seconds to do nothing between meetings. No scrolling. Just breathe. 2. Change one internal phrase from “I have to” → “I choose to.” See how that feels. 3. Replace “I’m fine” with a more honest version. Even with yourself. The truth is: Mental health is performance health. And resilience isn’t built by grinding harder, it’s built by recovering smarter. You don’t have to wait for someone else to say the phrase you need to hear. You can speak it first—to yourself, your team, or your peers. 👇 So what’s the phrase you wish you heard more often at work? Share it below. Let’s make work more human together. #Resilience #MentalHealthAtWork #WorkplaceWellbeing #EmotionalIntelligence #HighPerformanceCulture

I’ve noticed a worrying trend: bragging about skipping doctor’s appointments or working late as if exhaustion equals dedication. I get it, we want to show commitment. But what if we’re actually celebrating burnout disguised as productivity? Burnout isn’t a badge of honor. It’s a slow collapse, and Gallup’s latest report shows nearly 60% of employees feel emotionally detached at work. That’s not a culture I want to be part of — or build. Here’s what I believe we need instead: 1. Celebrate boundaries. Saying “I’m logging off” should be met with respect, not suspicion. 2. Redefine loyalty. True commitment means pacing yourself, not erasing your life outside work. 3. Question urgency. Not everything labeled “ASAP” really is. 4. Trade perfectionism for progress. Done is better than perfect. 5. Be the example. Culture changes when we model sustainable work, not just expect it from others. The toughest part is breaking the invisible habit of “pushing through.” Next time you feel the urge to sacrifice your well-being for work, pause and ask yourself: Is this really necessary? You don’t need to burn out to be valuable. #HealthAndWellness #Burnout #Growth

My friend told me, 'I love my job. I am not overworked. I have a great team, and my work is important. But yet, I find myself exhausted.' It was a rare moment of vulnerability, one she rarely speaks out loud—afraid of looking ungrateful or unhappy. Burnout doesn’t always come from overwork. Its not always that dramatic. Sometimes, it’s been building for years, and it’s not even about your current job. It could be the result of past trauma, unresolved stress, or simply boredom because you need a new challenge. You might feel disconnected, procrastinate more, or end your day without that crucial sense of accomplishment. The truth is, burnout isn’t a reflection of how much you love your job or how capable you are. It’s a signal that something needs to change. Here are four things you can do today to help get back on track: *Prioritize True Rest: This isn’t just about taking a break; it’s about guilt-free relaxation that allows your mind and body to truly recharge. *Identify the Root Cause: Reflect on what’s really draining you. Is it work, unresolved emotions, or something else? Understanding the root is key to addressing burnout effectively. *Set Realistic Boundaries: Protect your mental and emotional energy by setting boundaries that allow you to disconnect and rejuvenate. *Seek Support: Whether through therapy or conversations with trusted individuals, don’t hesitate to seek help in unpacking and managing your stressors. Burnout is real, and addressing it is essential to maintaining your well-being and passion for what you do. Remember, it’s okay to speak up and make adjustments. Your well-being comes first. What's your sign you are nearing burnout and your tricks to get back to the joy?

I was laying on my bed and I couldn’t move. I felt paralyzed, like my brain and body were malfunctioning. It was the third day of horrible sleep, apathy, a low mood, and complete disinterest in work. At first, I thought I was getting depressed again. I could feel the shock of fear spread throughout my body. Then I paused and took a deep breaths. I realized I had been working 15-hour days for the past two weeks without giving my brain a chance to recover. I was burnt out. The hardest part? I did it to myself. I run my own business. I choose my hours. And I still pushed myself too far. Now imagine those who don’t have that choice. Many companies create toxic cultures that demand more without offering recovery. In fact, 82% of employees in tech experience burnout. (CharlieHR) So I made a change: – Took two days off to reset – Got a therapist to help with the mental load – Capped my work hours Peak performance is an endurance race, not a sprint. If you’re burned out, here are a few things that helped me: 1️⃣ Speak up early. Talk to someone you trust before it spirals. 2️⃣ Schedule micro-recovery. Even 10 to 15 minutes of real breaks between deep work helps. 3️⃣ Track your energy. Not just your hours. Know what drains you and what fuels you. 4️⃣ Prioritize sleep. Like your next promotion depends on it. Because it does. 5️⃣ Set boundaries. A hard stop time is non-negotiable. 6️⃣ Ask for help. You don’t have to carry it alone. To sum it up… You wouldn’t expect your phone to run on 1%, so why expect that from yourself? Rest isn’t a reward. It’s a requirement. For more tips on #burnout, overcoming a #toxicworkplace, and achieving #PeakPerformance, follow Alex Wisch.

Pro Tip: Stop calling it 'quiet quitting' and start asking why your best people are emotionally checked out. It might be your go-to person always bringing fresh ideas who's now just doing his job, and just his job. And if you're honest? You get it. Because some days, that's exactly how you feel. A quick story: A coaching client recently watched his once-vibrant team overcome by some type of cloud stop crackling with energy? Projects now saw people nitpicking and splitting hairs about details. And the team's spirit was unraveling. What turned it around? He stopped trying to push through the fog and created space for real conversations. Not performance reviews. Not status updates. Actually asking "How are you holding up?" And listening to honest answers. Like opening windows in a stuffy room the bottled-up tension and unspoken issues thankfully had somewhere to go. People came out of the shadows and talked about the stuff causing their listlessness. Missed signs of burnout and making space for venting? Oblivious about what might need fixing? Your people will disappear into themselves and not have enough to give. Camaraderie/team dynamics will be under strain as well. Let's be mindful of the judgmental "quiet quitting" label and explore what's really happening…your best people are protecting themselves from burnout in a world that keeps demanding more. And between hard-hitting news cycles and challenges in their lives outside of work, things feel pretty stressful. The hard truth is, people can't pour from an empty cup. Not them. Not you. Here’s what you can do: Boost depleted oxygen (non literal). When people carry burdens alone, they retreat. So create space for the mind and psyche to breathe and exhale. Rethink "above and beyond." If someone's outstanding work now fits within their actual hours, that's not quiet quitting. It is healthy boundaries. Start small. A meeting turned into a real conversation. The "urgent" project pushed to next week. One genuine "thank you" when they do good work within normal hours. And most importantly, model it yourself. Your team notices when you send emails at midnight. They see you skipping lunch. They feel guilty taking vacation when you never do. The strongest message you can send is "protect your energies, I'm learning too" Your people aren't checking out. They're checking in with themselves. Maybe it's time we all did. _____________________ 💡As a workplace consultant and leadership development coach, I help leaders understand what's really happening in their teams through culture/systems assessment and coaching. We uncover the root causes and build 𝐀 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐬™ 🌱 🌱 Is your once-vibrant team in flux? DM to discuss how my assessment and solutions will help.

In 2023, I faced severe burnout while building Groove. (It was not just about the workload for me) Rather, a combination of: - Relentless pace - High expectations - Personal life changes Where I had set a very high bar for myself. I felt like a failure. But I did not let it pull me down completely. Soon, I viewed it as a chance to realign with my inner self. Here are 4 simple (yet effective) steps that helped me: 👇 1. Reevaluating my work hours: I started work at 10 AM and cut down to a half-day on Fridays. This helped me manage stress and prevent overwork. 2. Learning from my Groove community: Spending time with Groovers revitalized my sense of purpose. It reminded me why I started this journey and helped me see the real life impact of my work. 3. Implementing self-care routines: Regular workouts and weekly massages became non-negotiable for maintaining my mental and physical health. 4. Permission to slow down: Allowing myself to take breaks and step back when feeling overwhelmed was crucial. I learned to trust that my body and mind needed time to recover. The results? I regained my energy and enthusiasm within three months. With renewed energy and less pressure, my ability to focus and contribute meaningfully has improved. These changes have not only helped me but also set a precedent in our company culture to prioritize well-being. I’ve realised, recovery from burnout doesn’t happen overnight. It’s about consistent and mindful changes that align better with personal limits and professional goals. It’s like a marathon where pacing is key. You will fail at some points, but be kind to yourself, slow down, and get back up. Image credits: Hannah Wilson ✍🏻

I learned burnout thrives on blurred lines. Boundaries bring clarity & peace. Burnout requires boundaries. Why? Because burnout means you've stretched yourself too thin, for too long. It's the trap of seeking fulfillment through constant productivity. And it never works. Here's the thing: Boundaries aren't barriers. They're filters. They let in what you need most,  and keep out what you don't. And you get to decide. Here's how I learned to set boundaries: 1. Acknowledge the signs of burnout early. 2. Identify what genuinely fulfills me. 3. Practice saying 'no' when necessary. 4. Prioritize quality moments over quantity. 5. Regularly reassess and adjust my boundaries. If you're an executive or team leader, know this: Burnout plagues us all.  But boundaries can liberate you and your team. They foster trust, enhance productivity, and prevent the work-personal life imbalance when you learn to open and shut the door. Imagine leading with renewed energy and clear purpose, aligning your team with confidence. Transform burnout into breakthrough with strategic boundaries. Your team, and future self, will thank you for it. Bravely on, Julia ----- ♻️ Repost to share with your network 💡 Follow Julia LeFevre for more Leadership content 📢 DM or email me at julia@braverestoration for workshops, coaching and speaking