- Photo: Abdullah Mumuni*
Who doesn’t want their team to function at an optimum level? Either as a team lead, a team member, or an external stakeholder. I personally would love my team to be at 100% efficiency all year round but unfortunately, even the Justice League gets exhausted at some point.
What is Team Burnout?
We’ve all had the Monday blues or Friday fatigue. Burnouts are different — and it’s dangerous
According to The Mayo Clinic, “Job burnout is a special type of work-related stress, a state of physical or emotional exhaustion that also involves a sense of reduced accomplishment and loss of personal identity”.
Scary Hun?
In short, you’re stressed to the point where you’re no longer able to perform your job to the standard you normally do, and yes, it happens to the best of us. Sometimes it doesn’t even feel like stress hence why it is difficult to catch the sight of burnout early.
Burnouts come in many different forms
• Bad sleeping habits
• Consistent lack of energy
• Being critical or cynical
• Lashing out at team members
• Poor quality of work
• Trouble concentrating
• Lack of inspiration and motivation
• Headaches, stomach pains, or other physical complaints
What causes burnout?
At first, glance, when we think about burnout we often think about “just being overworked”. But it is far more than that. And in recent times the move to remote and hybrid work environments has added additional layers to traditional burnouts. Ultimately, burnouts arise due to a load of events and occurrences, some of which include:
An overbearing boss
Having a boss who tends to always criticize or downplay efforts which creates a hostile and stressful work environment potentially resulting in burnout as employees feel undervalued and unappreciated. Constant micromanagement, excessive demands, and a lack of autonomy can lead to heightened stress levels.
Work-life balance
The balance between work and your personal life HAS to be clear. All work and no play can make Jack go crazy. Working a regular 9–5 leaves little or no room for personal time which can lead to physical and mental burnout
Poor support systems
Having people who constantly praise and reassure you of your competence goes a long way. A poor support system could create an environment where an individual feels isolated, overwhelmed, and without adequate resources to cope with stress and ultimately lead to burnout as individuals struggle to manage their challenges
The stress of commuting to the workplace
Waking up as early as 4 am every morning for 5 days to beat the morning traffic or spending 3 hours in traffic every morning to get to work is very hectic and is a job in itself. It causes a loss of energy and leads to frustration and feeling helpless, amplifying overall stress levels.
Job insecurity
Having to worry about a layoff or a salary cut creates a persistent sense of stress and anxiety. When individuals are unsure about the stability of their employment, they experience an increased level of worry about their financial future, career prospects, and ability to meet basic needs. This leads to poor sleeping routines and wavering emotions which could lead to burnout.
“Sometimes the most productive thing you can do is relax.”
– Mark Black
How do you prevent burnout?
As a manager, a team lead, or higher management, the level at which your team members perform is relative to the success of your project or company. Bad working conditions lead to reduced productivity which results in untimely shipping of projects or total failure.
For instance, take your team to be a car. Each component performs a specific role in the car’s overall function. The steering wheels are used for directing the car, the brakes are used to slow down or stop the car, and the engine is the powerhouse and a load of other components. If a single component reduces performance, this affects the whole function of the car until it is replaced or fixed.
This also applies to any team, if a team member’s productivity reduces, it poses a threat to the efficiency of the team and so, how do you prevent burnout?
Encourage a work-life balance
To prevent burnout and promote work-life balance, it is essential to establish boundaries, prioritize tasks, schedule breaks, learn to say no, limit overtime and unplug from the screen. Create time to focus on other activities that result in self-improvement.
Regular team checkup
Whether through daily standups or weekly one on one checkups, this facilitates proactive communication, provides support and encourages inclusivity amongst colleagues. It also demonstrates that the organization values their emotional and mental health
Take Breaks
Working 6–7 hours nonstop is outrageous. Taking breaks at regular intervals to refresh or scroll through social media helps boost productivity and reduces stress.
Emphasize wellness and encourage time off
Encouraging time off and wellness practices is a proactive way to prevent burnout. A staff gym membership or regular spa sessions creates an environment that the organization that values employee health. Paid time off (PTO) also facilitates employee wellness.
Ask for feedbacks
Feedbacks provide insights into workload, expectations, and areas of improvement. Constructive feedbacks help you make adjustments and grow while positive feedbacks boost morale and recognition.
Recovering from Burnouts
It takes a whole lot to find that balance between work and your personal life when working a regular 9–5 or remotely in a different time zone. Either way, here are some ways to recover from Team burnout
Organizing Team bonding activities
At times when there seems to be a lack of motivation or a gloomy ambiance, a group activity like a game day or a weekend getaway, or Movie Friday would surely rejuvenate the spark hence improving productivity
Relaxation
Relaxation plays a vital role in recovering from burnout by helping restore your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Whether playing video games, spending time with family, watching a movie, reading a novel, or just taking a stroll.
Celebrate your wins
Take time to reflect on things you’ve done successfully, things that genuinely made you feel accomplished. This can get you motivated and boost your self-esteem and self-confidence. Remember, it doesn’t have to be extravagant. It could be as simple as treating yourself to your favorite meal or binge-watching your favorite show. The key is acknowledging and appreciating your achievements.
Take time off to regroup
In the midst of the never-ending saga of work, taking time off the screen or off work to reflect and reprioritize your goals and ambitions helps your body and soul rest and recharge.
Accept your imperfections
Acknowledging that you are not perfect and that it is okay to make mistakes, releases the pressure you might be putting on yourself. By recognizing your imperfections, you can focus on self-care and make healthier choices moving forward. It is important to set realistic goals and prioritize your well-being without feeling guilty.
Seek professional support
Therapy is a great space to assess what burnout is, what components of burnout are particularly challenging for you, and what factors are contributing to your experience of burnout. Reach out to individuals who have similar experiences in your field to get a different perspective on how they cope with stress and demotivation.
Sometimes the most important thing in a whole day is the rest we take between two deep breaths.” — Etty Hillesum
Conclusion
Both employees and employers are responsible for burnout as the outcome affects everyone. Navigating the endless seas of stress takes both physical and mental strength . Remember everything will work again if you unplug it for a few minutes… including yourself.
