Time With Sands – Burnout

I’m realizing that I’ve taken on too much professional responsibility and am getting burnt out, but I don’t want to say anything at risk of being seen as weak or having poor decision-making skills. I fear this could stir up ageist attitudes in my colleagues that I have so far avoided. How can I change my position on what projects I am able to oversee while retaining the respect of my colleagues?

– Sandra T.

Taking on too much responsibility and getting burnt out has nothing to do with age. Everybody goes through this. We have to learn to say, “No. I am fully allocated.” Everybody has to find that place where they can say no, and the only decision-making skills that may be at question is that you haven’t learned to say no. You have to realize it’s not that you’re saying, “I’m too tired.” If your colleagues have an ageist attitude about burnout, then it may be time for a group program on burnout. I mean that seriously. 

If it’s happening to you, you’re modeling it for those who report to you, or your colleagues. So it has to start with you. Start having group conversations on burnout and the danger signals and what they can look like. There has got to be a way to reframe this, because you’re a leader and I bet you’ll get more respect than you can imagine for owning up. It will set a good example for the rest of the team. If not, then you don’t belong in that culture; find a healthy culture.