Recognizing Burnout Signs in Colleagues

Do you know who the most dangerous people in a company are? Burned-out leaders. ↳ They can't lead effectively. ↳ Their state drags down team morale. ↳ This impacts results, slowly destroying the company. Today, 65% of leaders show burnout symptoms. Their companies are at risk. Their employees could "catch" burnout too. So, what can we do? ⇢ Watch out for signs of burnout, which are often ignored. ⇢ Identify the stage of burnout from these signs. ⇢ Act according to the stage and needs of the burned-out leader. ⇢ Implement preventive measures for the entire team. Here are the 8 stages of burnout we can’t afford to ignore: 1/ Excessive Drive: Pushing too hard for perfection. 2/ Ignoring Self-Care: Regularly skipping meals, exercise, hobbies, and sleep. 3/ Denial of Problems: Ignoring stress signs, convincing yourself everything’s fine. 4/ Withdrawal: Distancing from friends, family, and colleagues. 5/ Behavioral Changes: Irritability, impatience, and quick anger. 6/ Depersonalization: Feeling disconnected from your emotions and body. 7/ Apathy: Constantly feeling empty and purposeless. 8/ Depression: Persistent sadness, hopelessness, and feeling overwhelmed. Burnout hits when your body and mind can't keep up with your demands. Don’t push yourself to do the impossible. Prioritize inner peace over external "efficiency." ♻️ Share this guide with your network to help recognize and prevent the stages of burnout. ☝️ For more valuable content, follow me Victoria Repa.

Do not let your friends get to this point ↴ Rock bottom. In a profession like recruiting (external), many of us, including myself, have reached this point multiple times. The pressure is palatable, especially for high-pressure solo practitioners where our success determines if we feed our families. 👉 Let's break down the concerns ↴ 1. Burnout   → Unrealistic targets and the "always-on" nature of the job add to this stress and mental, physical, and emotional exhaustion. 2. Rejection Fatigue → The "No's" add up: Constantly dealing with candidates' & clients' rejections or disappointments can create feelings of inadequacy or failure. 3. Pressure for Performance → Intense Metrics-driven environments can result in overwhelming stress to meet KPIs. Economic factors, such as layoffs or hiring freezes, add further stress. 4. Emotional Toll of Candidate Support → Supporting them through brutal rejections or coaching them to improve can be draining. 5. Isolation in Remote Work → For some, the shift to remote recruitment has reduced in-office camaraderie, increased feelings of isolation & impacted mental well-being. 👉 What to look out for in our industry colleagues, friends and family↴ 1. Decreased Productivity Missed deadlines, lower placements, or poor performance relative to prior output. 2. Physical Symptoms → Fatigue, headaches, disrupted sleep, or drastic weight/appetite changes. 3. Changes in Attitude or Behavior → Irritability, reduced communication, or withdrawal from team interactions. 4. Reduced Job Satisfaction → Expressing dissatisfaction or lack of fulfillment in the role. (not standard sarcasm)🙄 5. Impaired Decision-Making → Difficulty managing priorities or making clear, strategic choices. 👉 Strategies to Address Mental Health in Recruitment ↴ 1. Normalize Mental Health Conversations → Provide a culture where discussing stress or seeking help is welcomed and not stigmatized. 2. Reasonable Targets and Metrics  → Ensure KPIs are ambitious but achievable to reduce unnecessary pressure. 3. Flexible Work Arrangements → Encourage work-life harmony through remote work flexibility or mental health days. 4. Mental Health Resources Offer access to counseling, therapy, or stress management programs. 5. Peer Support Networks → Build spaces where recruiters can share experiences & coping strategies. 6. Training Managers to Spot Signs → Equip leaders to recognize when team members need support & how to provide it effectively. Recruitment is a team sport & we must look out for each other as humans. Keep an eye on your friends who do this solo and check in on them. It's like a REAL check-in. Together, we can make a difference! 👉 And before you write some snarky comment about job seekers or other professions, YES, these tips can apply to all. But right now, I am focusing on my industry to spread the word and make a difference. Thank you!  

Medscape's most recent burnout and depression reports for healthcare professionals remain alarming. Almost 1 in 2 physicians feel burned out, depressed, or both. The numbers rise to 2 in 3 for physician assistants. They climb to a whopping 7 in 10 nurse practitioners. Even worse, these feelings are typically chronic, with symptoms lasting for years. That's not a great way to live, folks. I'm frequently surprised by the number of healthcare professionals who function daily under high-demand, high-stress conditions but don't consider burnout because they see themselves as simply going along with the status quo. Don't get caught off-guard by burnout. Here are some early indicators you need to start taking action to support your well-being ASAP: ➤ You're cutting corners in the name of efficiency when quality and attention to detail are usually your pride and joy ➤ You can't turn off thoughts about work - it's with you constantly ➤ You're scheduling fewer vacation days because you don't want to get behind ➤ You take on more and more responsibilities to prove your value ➤ Your identity is reliant on work because there's not much else going on in your life anymore The earliest signs of burnout can masquerade as dedication and ambition. Don't be fooled. Photo Credit: Thomas Elliott/ Unsplash

Burnout happens more than you think. Spot the warning signs early: Burnout has a way of sneaking up on people. Especially those who don't realize that more than half of employees report experiencing it at work. Use this sheet to: ↳Identify the signs of burnout before it's too late ↳And take deliberate and proven steps to prevent it 11 Burnout Signs: 1. Exhaustion Ex: You wake up tired after 8 hours of sleep 2. Overwhelm Ex: You stare at emails but can't start replying 3. Numbness Ex: You scroll for hours but feel nothing 4. Dread Ex: You feel a pit in your stomach every Sunday night 5. Irritability Ex: You feel rage when someone adds a meeting 6. Procrastination Ex: You delay work until the last minute, every time 7. Withdrawal Ex: You avoid small talk at work entirely 8. Brain fog Ex: You forget things seconds after hearing them 9. Cynicism Ex: You assume every message from your boss is bad news 10. Sickness Ex: You get frequent colds, headaches, or stomach issues 11. Escape fantasies Ex: You daydream about quitting without a plan 11 Burnout Shields: 1. Digital Rest Ex: Take a real lunch break without your phone 2. Sleep Ex: Go to bed 30 minutes earlier for a week 3. Boundaries Ex: Turn off Slack or email after 6pm 4. Movement Ex: Walk outside for 15 minutes before work 5. Connection Ex: Call a friend just to catch up - not to vent 6. Nature Ex: Eat breakfast outside or near a window 7. Play Ex: Try a hobby just for fun, like doodling or puzzles 8. Mindfulness Ex: Do a 5-minute breathing exercise after meetings 9. Delegation Ex: Ask a teammate to take a task off your plate 10. Saying No Ex: Decline a meeting that doesn't need you 11. Breaks Ex: Step away from your desk for at least 10 minutes Have you experienced burnout before? --- ♻️ Repost to help your network spot the signs early. Follow me George Stern for more content like this. And sign up for my newsletter for more tips on building a life you don't need a vacation from: https://lnkd.in/gpe6Q3V6

17 Signs of Burnout (And How to Fix Them) Burnout doesn’t show up overnight. It sneaks in. Quietly. Slowly. Until one day, you wake up exhausted, unmotivated. . . And wondering what happened. Let’s break it down into 3 categories: MIND Burnout (Your brain feels like mush)    ↳ You forget simple things.    ↳ You can’t focus for more than five minutes.    ↳ You feel like you're running on autopilot.    ↳ Even small tasks feel overwhelming.    ↳ You overthink everything. Fix it: → Take breaks before you “need” them. → Go for walks without your phone. → Journal, meditate, or just sit in silence for 10 minutes a day. BODY Burnout (Your body is screaming at you)    ↳ You wake up tired—no matter how much you sleep.    ↳ Caffeine doesn’t help anymore.    ↳ Your muscles ache for no reason.    ↳ You get sick all the time.    ↳ You crave sugar, carbs, or energy drinks. Fix it: → Prioritize sleep. No excuses. → Hydrate like your energy depends on it (because it does). → Move your body every single day—even if it’s just stretching. EMOTIONAL Burnout (Your soul is drained)    ↳ You feel numb.    ↳ The things you used to love? Meh.    ↳ You snap at people for no reason.    ↳ You feel like you’re failing, even when you’re not.    ↳ You dread Mondays (and maybe Tuesdays, too).    ↳ You constantly feel like you should be doing more.    ↳ You fantasize about quitting everything. Fix it: → Protect your energy. Say no more often. → Surround yourself with people who lift you up. → Remember resting is productive, too. Burnout is real. But so is recovery. You don’t have to live like this. Which one hit home for you? Repost this ♻️ Someone in your network needs to hear it. ➕ Follow me Nathan Crockett, PhD for daily insights.

A friend recently confided in me, 'I worked through the weekend. Nothing else seemed appealing.' Meaning they didn't want to read, partake in a hobby, watch a movie, play a video game, or do anything else so they chose to work instead. They were surprised to hear that this is a sign of burnout. Why? One of the key symptoms of burnout is the loss of interest or enjoyment in activities that used to be fun. When someone finds nothing appealing, including activities they typically enjoy, like reading, watching TV, or going to the gym, it can be a sign that they are emotionally and physically exhausted. Choosing to work on the weekend instead of engaging in leisure activities can sometimes be a coping mechanism for dealing with burnout. Work may provide a sense of purpose or distraction from negative feelings, but it's not a sustainable solution. Overworking can exacerbate burnout and lead to further stress and exhaustion. People experiencing burnout often find it difficult to disconnect from work, even during their downtime. This can be due to a sense of obligation, fear of falling behind, or the belief that working more will solve their problems. However, constantly being "on" and never allowing oneself to fully relax contributes to chronic stress and prevents proper recovery. Engaging in activities like reading, watching TV, or pursuing hobbies are forms of self-care that help recharge our batteries and maintain overall well-being. When someone consistently chooses to prioritize work over self-care activities, it can indicate that they're neglecting their own needs, which can worsen burnout symptoms over time. If your weekends start to look like extensions of your workweeks, it's not a matter of poor time management; there's likely a deeper issue. It's crucial to recognize these signals, re-prioritize self-care, and seek the support needed to navigate out of the burnout zone.

This photo was taken in September of 2023. On the surface, it probably looks like I have everything under control. Confident. Professional. Ready for the next challenge. On the outside, everything seemed fine. But in reality, my wife was recovering from a very difficult twin birth and postpartum preeclampsia, and I was struggling to balance supporting her, caring for our family, and meeting intense demands at work. I worked hard to maintain the appearance that I had it all under control, but inside, I was overwhelmed. Eventually, the facade crumbled—I couldn’t keep it up any longer. Fortunately for me, I had an understanding boss who allowed me time away from work to take care of my acute situation at home and address my burnout. I was a textbook case of what is now called "Quiet Cracking." (The Problem) It’s the silent epidemic affecting our best and most dedicated people. It’s when your top performers are delivering exceptional work, meeting every deadline, and seemingly thriving... while internally, they're fracturing under the weight of unsustainable pressure. Unlike quiet quitting (a withdrawal of effort), quiet cracking is hiding the strain. It's the "I'm fine" that masks impending burnout. Quiet cracking thrives in environments where "face time" and constant availability are mistaken for high performance. And it often ends with your best people suddenly breaking down or resigning, leaving you wondering what went wrong. (Actionable Advice for Leaders) This is invisible from a performance dashboard. You can't track it on a spreadsheet. You have to prevent it culturally. Here’s how: 1️⃣ Redefine Your 1-on-1s: Stop just asking "What are you working on?" Start asking, "What is your workload feeling like right now, and what can we do to make it more sustainable?" Focus on the person, not just the project. 2️⃣ Celebrate Rest as a Strategy: Publicly praise the team member who takes a real, disconnected vacation. Model this behavior yourself. A well-rested team is an innovative and resilient team. Burnout isn't a badge of honor. 3️⃣ Make it Safe to Say "No": The next time an employee tells you they don't have the capacity for a new task, how you respond is critical. Thank them for their honesty and work with them to prioritize. This single action shows your entire team that honesty is valued over overcommitment. (Call to Action) Ultimately, preventing "quiet cracking" is about building a culture where it's safer to be human than it is to be perfect. What's one way you're building this kind of psychological safety on your team? #Leadership #MentalHealth #QuietCracking #EmployeeWellbeing #Burnout #CompanyCulture #Vulnerability #Fatherhood

One time I walked into work holding it all together on the outside. But barely holding on inside. No one noticed. Except one leader. They didn’t say much. Just asked, “You good?” Then told me, "You know I'm here for you, Ali" (and meant it) That moment still stays with me. It wasn’t grand. It wasn’t performative. But it was real. And it was exactly what I needed. That’s what emotionally intelligent leadership looks like. It’s not always loud. It’s presence. It’s awareness. It’s care. ↳ Without needing a reason. They didn’t have a fancy title or deliver an inspiring speech. ↳ They simply noticed. 👀 Noticed when I was quieter than usual. 🙂 Noticed when I showed up with a smile that didn’t reach my eyes. 🤝 Noticed when I needed someone, not to fix it, but to see it. That’s emotional intelligence in action. ↳ Quiet. Steady. Unforgettable. Here’s what that moment taught me about emotionally intelligent leadership: 🧠 1. Emotional cues are data Silence, withdrawal, hesitation (these are signals). Don’t ignore them. Get curious. 🫶 2. Connection before correction When someone’s off, ask how they’re doing before what’s going on. Trust is built in that order. 🧭 3. Lead with presence, not pressure You don’t need grand gestures. A check-in. A pause. A kind word. They go further than you think. If you're in a leadership role (formal or informal) pause and reflect: 🔹 Who might be quietly struggling around me? 🔹 What signals am I possibly missing? 🔹 How can I be more present, even in small ways? Because real leadership isn’t always loud. ↳ Sometimes, it’s the quiet presence that speaks the loudest.

5 years ago, I hit “send” on a 2:13am launch recap, then stared at the screen, too numb to celebrate the win we’d chased for months. The next day, I asked a direct report how their “second week” was going. She gently reminded me that she joined two months ago. That was embarrassing b/c I pride myself on knowing my people and my team. And that was a wake-up call. Hitting pause felt reckless at first, but stepping away, sleeping more than 4 hours, and delegating tasks changed everything. Our pipeline didn’t collapse.  Our creativity actually spiked.  And our team morale was better than ever. Now “2:13 a.m. syndrome” is my shorthand. I always make sure to check in with my team regularly in 1:1s for the earliest signs of fatigue, and we course-correct before burnout happens. Burnout is a serious issue in the B2B space, especailly now with how fast things are moving. And this can have a significant impact on you and your team's productivity and morale. It's important to recognize the warning signs and have a plan for if/when you have to deal with it. 𝐒𝐲𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐦𝐚𝐲 𝐛𝐞 𝐞𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭: 1. Increased fatigue and fatigue that persists even after rest  2. Loss of enthusiasm or motivation  3. Feelings of apathy or detachment  4. Negative thinking or outlook  5. Difficulty concentrating or remembering  6. Decreased productivity or quality of work  7. Physical signs of stress, such as headaches or stomachaches  8. Increased irritability or impulsiveness  9. Changes in sleep or appetite  10. Increased reliance on substances such as alcohol, drugs, or cigarettes 𝐖𝐚𝐲𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐮𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮'𝐫𝐞 𝐝𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐢𝐭 𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐧𝐨𝐰: 1. Take regular breaks throughout the day  2. Get adequate sleep and rest  3. Exercise and eat healthy meals  4. Practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, yoga, or meditation  5. Connect with friends, family, and colleagues  6. Set boundaries between work and home life  7. Prioritize tasks and delegate when necessary  8. Practice self-care, such as taking a walk, reading a book, or getting a massage  9. Talk to a mental health professional for additional support  10. Develop a support network of people who understand your work and personal life 𝐖𝐡𝐚𝐭 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐝𝐝? 😊