Burn Baby Burn...Leader Inferno!

• You are sitting in traffic on your way to work and you are dreading going to work. 

• For you, the “Sunday scaries” are much more than just a mild uneasiness.

• Instead of being inspired to tackle the day, you are a clock-watcher and yearn for 5 o’clock.

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These, my friend, are signs of burnout.

Burnout: Physical or mental collapse caused by overwork or stress.

Overwork or stress. As a burned-out leader, those are your main culprits. 

So, what causes overwork or stress?  Let’s break it down.

1. People

• Personal issues, emotions, drama, personalities… need I say more?

2. Poor time management

• You are reactive NOT proactive

• You do not plan your day

• You fail to properly prioritize

• You take on too much or fail to delegate

3. Failing to set expectations

• You feel as though you have set expectations, but your team consistently comes up short

• You observe regular confusion among your team members

• Your weekly one-on-ones don’t happen… weekly

4. Not Coaching

• You let bad behaviors slide and they are rarely addressed

• You avoid difficult conversations because you are not sure how to approach them and they make you anxious

• You fail to deliver positive feedback

5. Your team does not have a strong foundation for the psychological side of their job

• They have poor attitudes

• They constantly make excuses

• They settle for “good” instead of striving for excellence

• Strong habits are almost non-existent

So, as the leader, which of these are you responsible for?

ALL OF THEM!!

So, what should you do?

Honestly, you need training and guidance. I have written dozens of blogs during my seven-year tenure at Butler Street, and this is the first time I have recommended in very plain terms that you need to sign up for our services. These blogs are normally not about hard sales pitches. They are about adding value to your life, providing wisdom and opening your eyes to new ideas and concepts. If the first part of this blog resonated with you, we can help.

If I could go back in time, when I was a leader managing 10 recruiters, I would have insisted that my previous employer provide me with the skills and knowledge found in Butler Street’s Leadership Effectiveness program. I would have been a better leader.

Burnout is NOT fun, but you can fix it. A few things to consider:

• Take 15 minutes and plan your day. Studies show that this simple habit will save you on average four hours a day.

• Got people problems? Setting clear expectations in the form of “Agreements” and managing to those agreements is an incredible way to fight the personal issues, emotions, drama and personalities.

• Difficult conversations don’t have to be scary. Structure, planning and practice. That is the magic formula that turns fear into confidence.

• Think of your team. How would you rate them (scale of 1-10) on attitude, personal accountability, perseverance and habit. If you feel burned out, my guess is that these numbers are low. What would your life look like if they were in the 8-10 range?

Your morning commute does not have to be a nightmare. Sundays do not have to be a worry-fest and give your watch a break – it is starting to think you are a stalker.

Butler Street understands the challenges that come with leadership roles. Our leadership development program and innovative Leadership Coach AI were created by people who have been in your shoes. If you want a program to display a completion badge without real change, that’s not us. If you want proven processes, developing the right habits, and ongoing coaching for continuous improvement, contact us and get the help you need.