Recognizing Burnout Before It Affects Performance

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

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? 😊

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

Burnout is a sign of success— until it isn’t 👇: It’s more than long hours—it’s emotional exhaustion, disconnection, and declining performance. Here’s How to Spot Burnout Early and Intervene Effectively: 1️⃣ They’re Working More, But Producing Less ↳ Busyness ≠ productivity.   ✅ Watch for declining efficiency despite long hours. 2️⃣ Constant Irritability & Short Temper ↳ Burnout can make small problems feel massive.   ✅ If someone’s on edge, they may need more than a workload adjustment. 3️⃣ Lack of Enthusiasm for Work They Used to Love ↳ When passion fades, burnout may be the cause.   ✅ Ask them what’s changed and how to re-engage them. 4️⃣ Physical Symptoms (Headaches, Fatigue, Insomnia) ↳ Stress shows up in the body.   ✅ Encourage real breaks, not just more coffee. 5️⃣ They Start to Withdraw from the Team ↳ Silence is a warning sign.   ✅ Check in before they disconnect completely. 6️⃣ They’re Making More Mistakes Than Usual ↳ Burnout hurts decision-making.   ✅ Address the stress, not just the errors. 7️⃣ Their Sense of Humor is Gone ↳ When laughter disappears, burnout is near.   ✅ Foster an open culture where stress isn’t ignored. 📌 PS...Prevention is easier than recovery—start building a burnout-proof culture today.  ♻️ Share this with your network to help leaders spot and prevent burnout before it spreads! 🚀 Join 71,000+ leaders reading my daily science-backed tips on leading high-performing teams using mindset, habits and systems. No vague recommendations. All backed by science and experience. ➡️ Follow me here Harry Karydes