Burnout is Everyone’s Business

Leadership is an active role; 'lead' is a verb. But the leader who tries to do it all is headed for burnout, and in a powerful hurry. - Bill Owens

I recently worked with Jenny, who is a team leader in the tech space.  She has led her team through one challenge after another.  Losing key team members, working crazy hours, adapting to their hybrid version of working.  She has continually placed her team’s welfare above her own.

Jenny felt that if they can’t buckle under the loads then she certainly can’t.  She was holding herself to a very different standard, which is really common.

What was really warming to see was the concern her team had for her and how they rallied in support when it became obvious that Jenny was hanging on by a thread.

This is a hugely familiar scenario.  Burnout is everyone’s business.  And when someone is ignoring their own welfare in pursuit of everyone else’s, it is very noble but never ends well. 

That old quote ‘put on your mask before helping others’ make sense.

We are all in this together.  Look around you and see who may be struggling.  Nobody has to do this alone.  But they may need someone to shine a light on it.

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