Handling Team Burnout

There's a hard truth in the business world that often goes unspoken. After 2 decades of working with entrepreneurs, I've seen it time and time again- Some leaders hire people but end up doing and micromanaging every task themselves. They become caught in a cycle of constant involvement, unable to step back and lead strategically. This approach creates a paradox - these leaders have a team, but they're not truly leveraging it. Instead of empowering their employees, they remain entangled in day-to-day operations. The critical difference lies in how they delegate responsibilities. Here's why delegation is crucial- 1️⃣ Team empowerment:  Delegation allows your team to grow and develop new skills, fostering a culture of trust and responsibility. 2️⃣ Strategic focus Leaders who micromanage day-to-day tasks cannot focus on strategic planning and innovation, which are the real drivers of business growth. 3️⃣ Motivation and Retention An underutilized team quickly becomes demotivated. Delegation provides growth opportunities, keeping your best talent engaged and committed. 4️⃣ Organizational scalability A business that relies solely on its leader is inherently limited. Effective delegation creates systems that can scale beyond any individual. 5️⃣ Innovation catalyst : When leaders free themselves from routine tasks, they create space for creative thinking and innovation. Here’s how you can delegate better: - Identify team strengths and weaknesses - Provide clear, concise instructions - Avoid micromanagement - Encourage initiative and problem-solving  - Recognize and reward success Recognizing this pattern of leadership is the first step towards breaking it. True leadership isn't about doing everything yourself but building a team with your guidance, not constant intervention. Remember, the goal isn't to own a job but to build an asset that thrives beyond you. This is the essence of true business ownership and effective leadership. What’s your take on this? comment below! #leadership #team #growth #business

Are you struggling in an under-resourced #workplace? Inadequate staffing has been cited as one of the biggest stressors in today's business world. As employees struggle to manage the job responsibilities of 2 or 3 people, exhaustion happens first. Long working hours, with little to no downtime, leads to mental and physical fatigue. In the long term, it’s the pressure to continue to meet high expectations, even though the workload is unmanageable, that causes #burnout. At this stage, employees either collapse or quit. As employees we know working like this is harmful and not sustainable, but we keep going. The fears of: ❗️ disapproval and judgement  ❗️ missing out on a promotion  ❗️ being seen as weak, imperfect or a poor performer  ❗️ letting people down ❗️ being indispensable ❗️ conflict or confrontation ❗️ rejection or job loss make us soldier on. The hope of change fuels us to keep going. But eventually, even that won't save us from burning out. If you’re in an under-resourced environment and struggling with your workload, standing up for your physical, emotional and mental needs is crucial. Otherwise, burnout will ensue. Take charge of what you can: ✅ Reduce overwhelm by creating a list of most critical/time-sensitive tasks and focus on those first. Break down larger tasks into smaller, manageable mini-goals. ✅ Block time for specific tasks, including breaks - eliminate distractions, and learn how to say “no” to additional workload and people (you can also say “I can’t do it now but I can do it *state time* or “colleague” can help you…) ✅ Communicate challenges and ask for guidance, tools and techniques from managers, mentors, HR, colleagues ✅ Learn/model influencing, selling and negotiating skills to increase your chances of making your needs heard and getting the resources or support you need ✅ Clarify your boundaries, communicate them and stand by them ✅ Seek professional help to work on what's stopping you from setting boundaries e.g. people pleasing, fears of saying no, perfectionism, FOMO, fear of job loss ✅ Update CV, LinkedIn profile, nurture your network, upskill to create psychological safety that if you lost your job, you’d find another one Sometimes the under-resourced state is temporary - and it's doing the best you can with the resources you have until the storm blows over. But if this is ongoing or permanent, and your employer isn’t willing to give you what you need to perform at your best, you must ask yourself: 1) What are you really doing this for? And 2) Is it worth it? What other advice would you give to anyone working in an under-resourced environment right now? #workstress #overworked #mentalhealth

I worked 20-hour shifts during my residency. Forget time for family and friends, I often didn’t even have time to shower or eat. So when most of my patients talk about stress taking a toll on their health, I understand. But what we often ignore is that stress acts as your body's alert system for perceived threats. It leads you straight into survival mode - causing lack of sleep, anxiety, and countless health problems. So here are 4 simple solutions to reclaim control: ▶︎ 1. The physiological sigh: This is one of the fastest ways to calm down. - 1 deep inhale through the nose - 1 short inhale to top up - 1 long exhale to empty lungs Just 2-3 cycles of this technique will release the maximum amount of CO2, slow your heart rate and relax you. ▶︎ 2. Mel Robin’s 5-second rule: To break the cycle of anxiety and change your stress habits, simply count down from 5. 5-4-3-2-1. This exercise will: - Activate your prefrontal cortex - Interrupt your habitual thought loops - Shift your brain from fight-or-flight to action mode ▶︎ 3. The filters test: If you want to reduce stress, you need to curate your thoughts. Whenever you have a negative thought, answer these 3 questions: - Is it true? - Is it kind? - Is it helpful? If any of the answer is no, discard the chain of thought immediately. ▶︎ 4. Conquer your fear of judgment: Caring what people think is costing you your health. Choosing attachment (fitting in) over authenticity (being yourself) sets you up for long-term health issues. So forget about others' opinions. Remember, being healthy > seeking approval. These techniques actually work as our brains tend to: - Ignore the high costs of our inaction - Understate the positive results of taking action - Exaggerate negative consequences of taking action. How do you manage your stress? #healthandwellness #workplacehealth #stress

One of the early mistakes of my career was not knowing what delegation meant. Sure I understood the term but the meaning in managing a team was something I didn't know. About 20 years ago, the real estate industry in India started to grow rapidly. It was at this time that we were a small family-operated business. I was keen to grow the business, and in my quest, as we grew, I consulted a number of management experts. The overwhelming advice I received from the gurus was to "Hire competent people, trust them, and let them do the job. Sure, there will be mistakes, but that's to be expected." I did just that, and a few years later, we were in a mess - I was dealing with all sorts of problems. I realised that I had let the professionals act and take decisions without having a proper review mechanism. In hindsight, I realise that what I did wasn't really delegation, but in fact, it was abdication. My learnings: 1. Responsibility of Oversight: Even if delegating tasks, the responsibility to oversee and ensure results rested with me. 2. Need for Review Mechanisms: Proper review mechanisms are essential to course correct along the way before things go out of hand. 3. Do not micromanage: Allow the person to do things their way, but track and review to ensure the end goals are in sight and on track. Telling people how to do things is micro management but delegation allows them to decide how to get the job done. Here are a few suggestions for better delegation: 1. Clear Expectations: Clearly define the goals and expectations for the delegated tasks. 2. Regular Check-ins: Schedule regular check-ins to monitor progress and provide guidance if needed. 3. Feedback Loop: Establish a feedback loop where both parties can communicate openly about challenges and successes. 4. Empowerment with Accountability: Allow subordinates to choose their own path to attain the goal but ensure they understand the accountability attached to their responsibilities. I am lucky to have been able to course correct, implement systems and change the culture in the organization that helped get us where we are today. Today, when something goes wrong, I don't ask "How did that happen?" I ask "how did I LET that happen". The buck stocks with me. Leaders don't abdicate. #Delegation #TeamManagement #Accoubtability #Entrepreneurship

In 2022, I predicted that by 2025, 60% of enterprises would actively foster socialization to combat chronic loneliness and social isolation exacerbated by digital technology. How has loneliness progressed? 🔍 Here's a snapshot according to Gallup's Global Workplace 2024 Report : 🌐 Globally, 1 in 5 employees report experiencing loneliness frequently, with those under 35 and fully remote workers most impacted. 😔 62% of employees are not engaged, while 15% are actively disengaged. 🆘 58% of employees feel they are struggling in life, with only 34% considering themselves thriving. ⚠️ 41% experience "a lot of daily stress." Loneliness and disconnection are silent problems — they often manifest as apathy, disengagement, or learned helplessness at work. So, what can we do to help? 💡 Steps to Consider: -Create a Support Network: Identify your team’s needs and implement channels to address them, such as employee assistance programs, financial planning tools, family assistance, buddy systems, communities, and ERGs. -Rethink the Work Environment: Co-design spaces for deeper relationships by mapping the employee experience and identifying changes in physical spaces, inclusive technology, and management practices. -Redesign Teams: Foster interdependence with collaboration platforms like fusion teams, cross-functional mentoring, and shadowing for problem-solving. - Recognize and Incentivize Goodwill: Acknowledge efforts with peer recognition/gratitude programs, making support visible to all. Implement an Inclusion Index: Measure fair treatment, collaboration, psychological safety, trust, belonging, diversity, and integration of differences through various feedback methods. - Train Managers: Provide managers with guidelines on the expected level of involvement in employee well-being. Train them in handling sensitive conversations, building personal connections, and evaluating mental health on a spectrum. Managers account for 70% of the variance in team employee engagement. Let's address these silent issues head-on and create a more connected and supportive workplace! 💪✨ #WorkplaceWellness #EmployeeEngagement #Inclusion #MentalHealth #FutureOfWork #Leadership #TeamBuilding For data see: Gallup's State of the Global Workforce Report https://lnkd.in/ecj8KUuw

How to move from “doing your job” to feeling inspired by it? Here’s my framework for building a career that creates impact + fulfillment. 𝟲 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵-𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗿.👇 1️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗣𝘂𝗿𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗲 ↳What drives you beyond the paycheck? Define your "why." ↳Create a strong purpose statement to inspire you. 2️⃣ 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁 𝗮 𝗩𝗶𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 ↳Think long-term! This gives you direction and helps you prioritize what's important. ↳Set short and long-term goals. 3️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗥𝗼𝗮𝗱𝗺𝗮𝗽 ↳Work out the  milestones and map out steps / actions. ↳Keep yourself accountable but stay flexible—you may adjust as you learn and grow. 4️⃣ 𝗘𝗹𝗶𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗟𝗶𝗺𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗲𝗳𝘀 ↳Challenge any beliefs that make you feel unqualified or unworthy of your ambitions. ↳Self-coach or work with a mentor to overcome these. 5️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽 𝗜𝗻𝗳𝗹𝘂𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 & 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 ↳To make an impact, grow as a leader. ↳Build credibility in the market as the "go-to" value-creator. 6️⃣ 𝗕𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝗣𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱 & 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸 ↳Create a differentiated value proposition. ↳Invest in your warm network and build new networks that support your purpose and vision. When we have full clarity on the impact we want to make and how to make it, we are motivated and inspired daily. ✅ If you're at a career cross-roads, send me a message and let's discuss. ✅ I've coached 300+ professionals, helping them navigate their careers with purpose + impact. --- ♻ Repost to help your network.

I recently discovered this ancient Japanese concept to reduce stress. This will blow your mind… What is Forest Bathing? The concept, known as shinrin-yoku, originated in Japan. It began in the 1980s as a response to a spike in stress-related illnesses from industrial work and technology. It has since been adopted as a proven method for dealing with a host of issues. What is it? What does it actually mean to "forest bathe"? Forest bathing involves: • Slowly walking through a forest • Absorbing the atmosphere with all senses • Without any technology getting in the way And it's not some woo-woo health gimmick... A study of nearly 20,000 people in the UK found that just 120 minutes a week in nature led to improved self-reported health and well-being. And this isn't just anecdotal. There are scientific health benefits too... Research shows forest therapy can: • Elevate mood • Alleviate stress • Bolster immunity • Sharpen attention Why does this happen? Beyond being in nature, there's one compound that helps... Phytoncides Trees emit volatile essential oils termed as phytoncides. These carry antimicrobial properties which have the potential to influence our immunity. They are thought to be responsible for some of the benefits found in the relevant studies. So how to forest bathe? For an effective forest bath: • Pick a calm forest or wooded area • Listen, touch, smell your surroundings • Leave all devices at home You want to be fully immersed in nature. How long for maximum benefit? You don't need to spend days out in the wild, though that wouldn't hurt. Research suggests a minimum of 120 minutes a week is enough to reap the full benefits. This can be one long session or multiple short ones. Consistency is key here. Many experts in the field agree with this practice. Dr. Qing Li, a prominent researcher in the field, states: "Wherever there are trees, we are healthier and happier." As someone who's done a fair share of forest baths, I couldn't agree more. Why you should try forest bathing In our tech-saturated world, digital fatigue is real. Forests offer: • An oasis of calm • A break from screen-induced exhaustion Disconnect from the digital noise. Reconnect with nature. I promise you won't regret it.

🔥 Pushing Through Isn’t Strength—It’s a Slow Path to Burnout. 🔥 Are You Prioritizing Downtime for Long-Term Success? 🌱 If you’re powering through without pausing, here’s a reality check: ↳ Non-stop hustle doesn’t lead to success; it leads to exhaustion. True #resilience comes from knowing when to rest, not just when to work harder. When downtime is dismissed, performance suffers, creativity dries up, and mental health takes a hit. 𝗘𝗺𝗼𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝘀𝗻’𝘁 𝗮 𝗹𝘂𝘅𝘂𝗿𝘆—𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗲𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝘀𝘂𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀. Without it, the mind and body wear down, productivity drops and innovation becomes a struggle. Here’s a guide to building in essential downtime for emotional recovery, empowering you to keep going without wearing yourself thin. 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲 “𝗨𝗻𝗽𝗹𝘂𝗴𝗴𝗲𝗱” 𝗠𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 ↳ Block time in your day to be offline—no screens, no notifications. Giving your mind a break from constant connectivity lets you return with a refreshed perspective and renewed focus. 𝗣𝗿𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ↳ Use these moments to reflect. Journaling, meditating, or simply being mindful of your surroundings can help you process emotions and regain clarity on priorities. 𝗕𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝘁 ↳ Alternate high-energy tasks with moments of rest. Incorporate mini-breaks after meetings or intense projects to allow your mind to reset. 𝗥𝗲𝗳𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝗗𝗼𝘄𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲 𝗮𝘀 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲 ↳ Many think of downtime as wasted time. However, strategic rest is not only productive; it’s vital. Think of it as time invested in maintaining your mental and emotional resilience. 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝗻𝗷𝗼𝘆𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲, 𝗟𝗼𝘄-𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 ↳ Whether it’s reading, painting, or taking a walk, dedicating time to activities you enjoy helps you recharge, lifts your mood, and refuels your energy. The Benefits? ✅ Improved mental clarity and creativity ✅ Reduced stress and greater emotional resilience ✅ Sustained performance and focus How do you carve out recovery time during your busy day? Drop a comment with your go-to methods and let’s share tips on balancing downtime with productivity. 🌟 ------------------- I’m Jayant, an advocate for #MentalHealth awareness. #JayThoughts (follow it and help me grow). I write on topics that inspire growth and well-being. Follow me and then hit the bell🔔 to get notifications for new posts. #Leadership #Culture

Burnout doesn't happen overnight. Recovery shouldn't either. I know, because I've been there. That moment when everything feels impossible. When your brain fog won't lift. When even small decisions feel overwhelming. And I've watched countless business owners go through the same thing. Here's what I learned works - not from theory, but from real recovery: 1/ Reset your sleep ↳ Your phone has no place in your bedroom ↳ Morning sunlight changes everything 2/ Rebuild your energy ↳ Real breaks (not scroll breaks) ↳ 90-minute focus blocks work magic 3/ Fix your workload ↳ Three tasks that matter ↳ Everything else can wait 4/ Protect your time ↳ Quiet mornings (until 10am) ↳ Set that leaving-work alarm 5/ Manage your stress ↳ Write down what's keeping you up ↳ Move your body, clear your mind 6/ Set clear boundaries ↳ Templates for saying "no" ↳ Weekends are non-negotiable 7/ Build your support ↳ One real conversation weekly ↳ Ask for help (it's not weakness) 8/ Create new habits ↳ Start tiny ↳ Celebrate progress The truth? Recovery isn't about grand gestures. It's about small steps when everything feels too much. ⬇️ If you've experienced burnout, what helped you recover? ♻️ If you know of someone who's struggling - send this their way. ➕ Follow me, Jen Blandos, for real conversations about business challenges.

The results of our recent poll on psychosocial hazards were quite telling—especially when we looked at where respondents were located. But overwhelmingly, you identified the No. 1 cause of psychosocial hazards as 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐨𝐟 𝐋𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐒𝐮𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭. And if you’re leading a team—no matter the size or level—this is worth paying attention to. Leadership isn’t just about making decisions; it’s about creating an environment where people feel supported, valued, and psychologically safe. 𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙙𝙤 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙣𝙚𝙚𝙙 𝙩𝙤 𝙨𝙪𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙧𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪𝙧 𝙩𝙚𝙖𝙢? In the second biggest challenge, the differences showed up: 🔹 In the APAC region (including Australia & NZ), people pointed to 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐉𝐨𝐛 𝐃𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐒𝐭𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬. It isn't surprising, given the increasing workload pressures, deadlines, and performance expectations.  High Job Demands lead to chronic stress, which not only affects productivity but also impacts mental well-being. 🔹 Globally, the second most common challenge was 𝐔𝐧𝐜𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐑𝐨𝐥𝐞𝐬 & 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬. When people don’t know what’s expected of them or where their responsibilities begin and end, this psychosocial hazard leads to frustration and burnout. Meanwhile, 𝐏𝐨𝐨𝐫 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤𝐩𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬 ranked fourth across both groups. So, are people supporting each other despite issues with leadership and overwork? Or are team relationships suffering under the strain? ❓ What’s your perspective? Which challenges have you encountered, and how can they be addressed? Let’s talk in the comments. #PsychologicalSafety #leadership #AsiaPacific #Psychosocialhazards #Organizationalhealing