How would you approach a team member who is experiencing burnout but is hesitant to seek help?
Recognizing the signs of burnout in your team is a critical aspect of people management. It's not just about meeting deadlines and pushing for results; it's also about ensuring the well-being of your team members. When you notice someone struggling but reluctant to ask for help, it's essential to approach the situation with sensitivity and support. Burnout can manifest as physical exhaustion, emotional fatigue, and a decrease in performance, which can affect not only the individual but also the team's overall dynamic and productivity.
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Ashish Singh, SCGHarvard Business School, 5X LinkedIn Top Voice, Author, Director at SCG, TOP Leadership Expert, International Keynote…
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Marialena KanakiContent Marketing Manager at Epignosis
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Aakanksha A TangriFounder, Re:Set - Helping you build resilient and productive teams | Forbes 30 Under 30 | Young Leaders Circle, Milken…
To effectively help a team member who might be burning out, start by observing their behavior and work patterns. Look for changes such as frequent absenteeism, a drop in work quality, or a generally withdrawn demeanor. These could be indicators that they're struggling with burnout. It's important to gather this information discreetly and respectfully, without making the person feel monitored or judged. Your goal is to understand the situation better so you can offer appropriate support.
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Ashish Singh, SCG
Harvard Business School, 5X LinkedIn Top Voice, Author, Director at SCG, TOP Leadership Expert, International Keynote Speaker, CEO Coach, Winner HRAI Top HR Leaders, Alumnus of General Electric, Reliance & Bharti
Supporting a team member experiencing burnout requires a thoughtful and empathetic approach. Here are some steps you could take: Pay attention to signs of burnout, such as decreased productivity, increased errors, or withdrawal from team activities.
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Aakanksha A Tangri
Founder, Re:Set - Helping you build resilient and productive teams | Forbes 30 Under 30 | Young Leaders Circle, Milken Institute
If a team member has been missing deadlines or coming into work late regularly, or are isolating themselves, most of the time, these can be signs of burnout. As a manager, the first step is to have a conversation with them to understand their challenges. Have conversations. 1-on-1 conversations help individuals share their perspective about challenges they’re facing at a team level – an insight you may not have access to as a manager. Ask questions. Employees may avoid opening up about their struggles in the workplace fearing repercussions. Connect them to a coach or expert that they may feel more comfortable working with. If they’re not ready to open up, that’s OK. Let them know help is available whenever they’re ready.
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Nidhi S.
Top Interior Design Voice in the World | Head of Interior Design @ Nidhi's Official | 21 Years Experience
Approach a team member who is suffering burnout with care and compassion. Set up a private, casual gathering to discuss their well-being. Listen actively, noting their emotions without passing judgement. Encourage open communication by providing resources and support alternatives, while emphasising confidentiality and compassion. Suggest modest changes to their workload and provide adaptable solutions. Reiterate your commitment to their health and productivity, and create a supportive workplace that prioritises their well-being and professional development.
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Eric Rodrigues dos Santos
Industrial Safety Manager | Metallurgy | Mining | Production Processes | Occupational Safety Engineering | Risk Management | ISO Standards | Leadership | Welding Inspection | Quality Control
Bom esse é um caso delicado, pois esse problema que o empregado está passando pode ter sido gerado em função de uma falha em sua própria gestão. Uma vez identificada a melhor forma é o diálogo entre a medicina do trabalho, assistente social e o gestor. Identificar a causa raiz, suportar o empregado em todos os aspectos, acolher e procurar ajuda especializada, sempre de maneira sigiloza e respeitosa.
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Jaimiii Panchal
CEO| Digital Marketing Expert | Business & Personal Brand Strategist | Content Marketing | SEO Specialist & Content Writer | Helped 488 businesses to increase online brand presence
As an expert, I recommend a gentle, non-confrontational approach. Schedule a private chat and express your concern for their well-being. Mention specific changes you've observed (e.g., missed deadlines, low energy) and emphasize that these are common signs of burnout. Focus on offering support, not blame. Let them know resources are available (e.g., company wellness programs, mental health professionals) but avoid pressuring them to use them. Patience and a listening ear are key to fostering trust and encouraging them to seek help on their own terms.
Once you've noticed signs of burnout, initiate a private and empathetic conversation. Choose a comfortable setting and assure them that the discussion will remain confidential. Encourage them to share their feelings and experiences at work. Listen attentively without interrupting or offering immediate solutions, as the act of being heard can be a powerful first step in addressing their concerns. It's crucial to convey that you're there to support them and not to criticize or evaluate their performance.
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Ashish Singh, SCG
Harvard Business School, 5X LinkedIn Top Voice, Author, Director at SCG, TOP Leadership Expert, International Keynote Speaker, CEO Coach, Winner HRAI Top HR Leaders, Alumnus of General Electric, Reliance & Bharti
Initiate a private conversation to express concern and create a safe space for them to share their feelings and challenges....
After understanding their situation, inform them about the resources available to them, such as employee assistance programs, mental health days, or counseling services. Explain how these resources can be beneficial without pressuring them into using them. It's important for them to feel in control of their choices and to decide what feels right for them. Offer to assist in the process if they decide to seek help, but respect their autonomy and decision-making.
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Ashish Singh, SCG
Harvard Business School, 5X LinkedIn Top Voice, Author, Director at SCG, TOP Leadership Expert, International Keynote Speaker, CEO Coach, Winner HRAI Top HR Leaders, Alumnus of General Electric, Reliance & Bharti
Provide Resources-Offer information about resources available, such as counseling services, stress management workshops, or flexible work arrangements.
Evaluate their workload and see if there are areas where you can provide relief. This might involve redistributing tasks among the team, setting more realistic deadlines, or even bringing in temporary help to alleviate pressure. Discuss these options with the team member, ensuring they understand that these measures are for their well-being and not a punishment or a sign of decreased confidence in their abilities.
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Ashish Singh, SCG
Harvard Business School, 5X LinkedIn Top Voice, Author, Director at SCG, TOP Leadership Expert, International Keynote Speaker, CEO Coach, Winner HRAI Top HR Leaders, Alumnus of General Electric, Reliance & Bharti
Adjust Workloads: Review their current workload and discuss possible adjustments or redistributions to alleviate pressure and prevent further burnout.
Promote a healthy work-life balance by encouraging regular breaks, time off, and disconnecting from work outside of office hours. Lead by example and create a team culture that values rest and personal time as much as productivity. This could involve implementing policies that prevent after-hours communication or encouraging the use of vacation time. Small changes can make a significant difference in preventing burnout.
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Ashish Singh, SCG
Harvard Business School, 5X LinkedIn Top Voice, Author, Director at SCG, TOP Leadership Expert, International Keynote Speaker, CEO Coach, Winner HRAI Top HR Leaders, Alumnus of General Electric, Reliance & Bharti
Encourage Balance-Emphasize the importance of work-life balance and encourage them to take breaks, use their vacation time, and engage in activities that promote relaxation.
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Alan Zambianco
Tax Manager | Tax Attorney | Tax Transformation | Tax Controversy | Indirect Taxes | TAX TMT | Alteryx and Power BI | KPMG
O equilíbrio entre vida pessoal e profissional é um pilar super importante. Em que pese a vida tenha fases em que ora o desenvolvimento profissional é tão importante quanto a vida pessoal, essa última jamais deve ser deixada de lado. Ao equilibrar uma rotina saudável de cargas de trabalho, exercícios físicos e outras atividades de lazer, abrimos espaço para que tenhamos uma vida mais harmônica e em consequência acumulemos menos stress do dia a dia. Entendo que uma rotina equilibrada também coopere para uma diminuição da ansiedade e da melhora do sentimento de felicidade no ambiente corporativo.
Finally, provide ongoing support and check in regularly with the team member. This doesn't mean constant monitoring but rather showing continued concern for their well-being. Make it clear that your door is always open for them to talk and that their health is a priority. Building a supportive work environment where everyone feels valued and cared for can prevent burnout from becoming a recurring issue.
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Marialena Kanaki
Content Marketing Manager at Epignosis
Just as getting to a point of burnout doesn't happen overnight, the same applies when you're recovering from it. As a manager, you should provide continuous support to your team members and ensure that they don't fall back into old patterns. It is important to acknowledge that getting back on track may take some time, but with the proper support, you'll help them in more ways than one. This is also a valuable lesson for you as a manager. It will allow you to be more proactive to avoid such cases in the future. Some things you can do: - Assess if the workload is reasonable - Distribute tasks across the team to ensure equal capacity - Be mindful of personal troubles - Remind your team that you're there to help at all times
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Ashish Singh, SCG
Harvard Business School, 5X LinkedIn Top Voice, Author, Director at SCG, TOP Leadership Expert, International Keynote Speaker, CEO Coach, Winner HRAI Top HR Leaders, Alumnus of General Electric, Reliance & Bharti
Support Continuously- Maintain regular check-ins to monitor their well-being, provide ongoing support, and adjust strategies as needed.
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Binto Babu
Asset Integrity | Risk Based Inspection | Corrosion & Inspection | Quality Professional | Welding Specialist | Oil & Gas | Petrochemicals | Ex-HMEL
Ensure a private and comfortable setting for the conversation to help the team member feel safe and more open. Gently express your observations and concerns without making assumptions. Allow them to speak freely and listen without interrupting, showing empathy and understanding. Let them know it's okay to feel overwhelmed and that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness. Offer to help with workload management, discuss possible schedule adjustments, or find ways to distribute tasks more evenly among the team. Encourage a healthy work-life balance within the team by setting an example yourself, promoting regular breaks, vacations, and a supportive work culture.
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Nisha Nair
LinkedIn Top Leadership Voice | Strategic Head - HR & Talent| Building Sagarsoft| People and Culture | Mentor| Women Leader
Helping my team member with burnout who's hesitant to seek help starts with a caring approach. Have a private chat where we show concern for their well-being not just their work performance. Listen carefully without judging them. Let them share how they feel and what's tough for them. Show we understand & care about their struggles. Offer practical help, like adjusting their workload or suggesting ways to work more flexibly. Encourage them to consider getting professional support like counseling& assure them it's okay to seek help. Keep checking in with them regularly to see how they're doing & show we're there for them. By building trust & showing we care, we help them feel supported enough to take steps toward feeling better.
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Dora Machado
Mentora de Executivos de Alta Performance | Consultora sênior para Lideranças | Supply Chain & Lean Expert | Master em PNL | Partner Great People & GPTW | Personal Brander | Mentora FIESP
Eu acredito que normalmente é algo que a Liderança não ofereceu ao Colaborador: ou segurança, ou confiança, ou abertura. Quando a pessoa sente-se confortável com o líder (se ele é um Líder Humanizado), fala. O que pode ocorrer é que, algumas vezes, a própria pessoa tem dificuldade em perceber. E a opinião de outras pessoas pode ajudar a fazer com que a pessoa busque ajuda. O próprio líder pode ser esse apoio, com ferramentas específicas, sem desconsiderar, obviamente, um tratamento de um especialista. Ou seja, o líder precisa construir esse ambiente de confiança mútua com a equipe, na minha modesta opinião. #burnout
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