Burned Out? Renew Your Leadership Mind. (#199)
The Confident Leader
BOOST YOUR LEADERSHIP IN UNCERTAIN TIMES
Thursday night my family surprised me with a weekend in Austin. They had planned everything. My only task was to pack and be in the car by 9:00 a.m. on Friday. What I experienced in the hours that followed shocked me.
“Give up the delusion that burnout is the cost of success.”
― Arianna Huffington (author and co-founder of The Huffington Post)
This Week’s Edition
How are you intentionally combatting leadership burnout, even amidst a fast-paced and demanding leadership culture?
Clarify Your Thinking
Almost immediately, I felt myself settle into a complete relaxation. I had no immediate responsibilities. I could watch the Mavericks game without the tug of lingering tasks. I slept soundly knowing I had no morning commitments. Surprisingly, I awoke rested and ready to take on the day – a weekend of fun!
May has been full: launching a new book; filming pilot episodes for a new podcast; hosting a happy hour for 65 amazing leaders; and preparing for our June leadership workshops. Whew!
Even though I love what I do, the volume of responsibilities can weigh one down.
Leaders with significant commitments and responsibilities often experience being worn out, especially if they are leading their organizations through challenging market conditions or not enjoying their role.
CEO burnout is a major issue today. According to the Wall Street Journal, more than 1900 CEOs left their jobs last year, and a record 19 died in office. According to a Deloitte study, of those who stayed in their role, 82 percent have experienced exhaustion indicative of burnout and 96 percent feel their mental health has declined.
And this burnout epidemic is not unique to leaders- 8 out of 10 employees are at risk for burnout as well.
Old Thinking: I’ve got to push through these challenges. I’ll take time off when things settle down.
New Thinking: I should schedule some mini-vacations from work and schedule the rest of my time off through the end of the year.
Thoughts Lead to Actions
A long weekend by itself does not necessarily cure a leader’s burnout. It is only one of many things that contributes to a more balanced approach, allowing you to stay fit for the long-term leadership game.
Here are 7 things you can do today to combat burnout and enjoy your role as a leader.
- Schedule a long weekend in June. You’ve earned it.
- Make a list of your strengths. Operate in those. Outsource what you don’t like doing.
- Evaluate next week’s calendar. Delegate your attendance to others who can report back. Shorten or cancel non-essential meetings.
- Identify the ONE priority that has lingered and get it done.
- Each evening next week, spend 15 minutes reflecting on the week. Recognize the progress you made and prioritize the next day.
- Delegate 25% of your tasks to others even if they can only do it 80% to the degree you can.
- Schedule your summer vacation. Do something you love.
Boost Your Performance
Rate your exhaustion or burnout on a scale of 1 to 10. If you are a 7 or higher set aside 30 minutes (right now) and begin tackling those 7 items in the list above. Resolve today that you will begin to cure your burnout one step at a time. Watch this week’s video to see how the Austin trip went.
What’s Your Opinion?
What is one way you can fight burnout this month? Share it with me at robin.pou@robinpou.com.
If you are going to be a leader, you might as well be a good one. Don’t let doubt count you out. Have a confident week!
Robin Pou, Chief Advisor and Strategist
We live to make bad leadership extinct so forward this newsletter to others who strive to be confident leaders.
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What is “The Confident Leader”?
During the Covid-19 Pandemic, I began a video series called “Panic or Plan?” It was designed to equip leaders to navigate the doubt they experienced and to rise in the confidence they needed to lead during turbulent times. It took off. I then started this newsletter to equip leaders in the same fashion each week for the doubt that crashes across the bow of their leaderSHIP.
