What do you do if your startup team is experiencing burnout?

I've been a part of a burned out start-up LT. It is hard to identify the signs, largely because you're probably just one of MANY all feeling and experiencing the same things. The signs often show up physically, emotionally, and socially. Racing pulse? Addictive behaviors? Poos sleep? Unhealthy boundaries? It pays to see what constellation of things are showing up for you. It's the first step to being able to do something about it.

Two ways to cope with team burnout is: 1. Find a common team sport that everyone enjoys watching / playing (e.g; football, cricket, basketball) and have a fixed time every week to play friendly matches between each other 2. Cultivate ‘silent-hour’ at work thrice a week (mon-wed-fri) post lunch, no phones, no emails, no gadgets: just work or waltz in silence for an hour within the office space: gives ample time to reframe issues leading to burnout because the mind starts moving out of ‘problem binaries’ into ‘productive visualisation’ mode naturally

Burnout is some real sh*t. See, all problems have their signs, same case with burnout as well. If you notice - Feeling tired continuously, drained, or overwhelmed, losing interest in things and mainly in work, difficulty in concentrating, frustration, frequent conflicts, etc Firstly don't ignore them. Acknowledge that burnout stuff is real and happens with you at the moment.

Implement strategies such as time-blocking to ensure dedicated periods for work and relaxation. Encourage open communication within your team to address workload concerns and offer support. Prioritize self-care activities like exercise, meditation, and hobbies to recharge your energy. Consider implementing flexible work arrangements or mental health days to support employee well-being.

It’s important to know is it really a burnout or there is a disconnect between team and work. For every organisation it’s important to find the reason of early burnout especially with young talent pool. Also it’s everyone’s responsibility whoever feels the state of over worked or experiences brain fog it’s important for them to identify their way to Ustress rather than only leaders be responsible. That is how we create culture of equal responsibility and co create our work space together. That’s how I see.

Implement time management techniques like the "Eisenhower Matrix" to prioritize tasks based on urgency and importance. Utilize project management tools to streamline workflows and track progress effectively. Foster a culture of open communication where team members feel comfortable expressing workload concerns. Encourage a healthy work-life balance by setting boundaries around work hours and promoting time off. Provide resources for stress management and mental health support to employees

Foster a sense of belonging and camaraderie within your team through team-building activities and regular check-ins. Encourage peer support networks where team members can share experiences and offer assistance. Schedule regular team meetings to discuss progress, challenges, and successes, fostering a collaborative environment. Provide opportunities for professional development and growth to demonstrate investment in your team's success.

Implement time management techniques such as the Pomodoro Technique to maintain focus and avoid burnout. Set boundaries around work hours and designate time for relaxation and leisure activities. Prioritize tasks based on importance and urgency to avoid feeling overwhelmed by an ever-growing to-do list. Practice mindfulness and stress reduction techniques like deep breathing exercises or progressive muscle relaxation. Seek professional support if burnout symptoms persist or impact your daily functioning.