You’re leading a team that’s facing burnout. How can you reignite their passion for the work?

Motivational speaking is just one of (at least) three actions I have used successfully: 1. Listening - indeed start with empathy, and this starts by listening, and not talking. Being heard, really heard is what can help people get in a better state of mind. Also ask good questions that show you are interested in who they are, not just what they do. 2. action - once you heard their reasons for burnout, acknowledge and create an action that responds to their needs and shows you don't just listen but want to practically support. 3. then (and only then) indeed a motivational speech (either by you or by an external professional) is what unites people around that beautiful goal you all want to reach, they why of what you do, creating energy.

Last week I attended a big team meeting where one of the managers started her part acknowledging how difficult and complicated one project had been until now. She acknowledged the frustration of everyone on the topic and the action plan so this would not happen again. Such a powerful intro showed vulnerability but also a leader who breaks the politics to make the project move forward in a way that everyone can participate.

Active Listening: Provide a safe space for open expression of concerns. Validate Experiences: Acknowledge feelings without judgment. Appreciate Efforts: Recognize contributions to affirm value and importance. Offer Support: Provide resources to alleviate workload pressure. Trust and Empower: Delegate responsibilities to instill confidence. Promote Well-being: Encourage self-care and work-life balance. Lead by Example: Model healthy boundaries and coping strategies. Build Connection: Foster teamwork and camaraderie for support.

To combat team burnout, demonstrating empathy is crucial. Listen actively to your team members' concerns and experiences to understand their challenges and frustrations. Acknowledge their hard work and the stress they are under. Validate their feelings without dismissing or minimizing their experiences. By creating an environment where team members feel seen and understood, you can foster a sense of community and support. Encourage them to share their needs and suggestions for improvement, and act on this feedback to show that you truly care about their well-being and job satisfaction.

Another important step in tackling burnout is creating a supportive team atmosphere. Encourage open communication, where team members feel free to share their worries and ask for assistance. Recognize and appreciate their hard work and achievements to nurture a positive work environment. Additionally, consider organizing team events or wellness programs to boost morale and strengthen bonds. By nurturring a supportive and inclusive workplace, you can help reduce stress and promote overall well-being among your team.

Clear Expectations: Define achievable goals to reduce ambiguity and stress. Task Prioritization: Help identify and focus on high-priority tasks for effective workload management. Delegation: Distribute tasks evenly to empower team members and lessen individual stress. Feedback and Coaching: Provide constructive feedback to support growth and alleviate anxiety. Flexibility: Offer remote work or flexible schedules to accommodate individual needs. Resource Advocacy: Advocate for necessary resources to ease pressure on the team. Work-Life Balance: Promote boundaries between work and personal life to prevent burnout. Stress Management: Provide support for stress-reducing techniques like mindfulness.

To reignite your team's passion amidst burnout, focus on reducing stress. Start by identifying the root causes of their burnout and address them directly. This might mean redistributing workloads, setting more realistic deadlines, or incorporating regular breaks and downtime into the work schedule. Encourage open communication and provide a supportive environment where team members feel heard and valued. Introduce stress management resources or workshops and promote a healthy work-life balance. By showing that you prioritize their well-being, you can help restore their energy and enthusiasm for their work.

During burnout, "Not knowing how" is less harmful compared with Not "knowing Why" Help everyone understand their purpose aligning with common goals. Allow them to share their experiences.

While restoring purpose can be a powerful motivator, leaders should be thoughtful in their approach. The staff’s dedication to the company/organization’s mission isn’t in question, since they’re approaching burnout, so it could be insulting to have a superior reminding them of the vision and goals. I’d suggest bringing in actual beneficiaries to share how their lives were impacted by the team’s work. If not in-person, visuals like thank you notes, drawings from children, or video messages can be powerful and inspiring. Highlighting statistics or progress towards a shared goal/outcome can also be motivating - especially if a major accomplishment is within reach.

The most effective growth doesn't just come from traditional learning- it starts with mindset. Professionals who know how to create intrinsic/internal rewards are able to avoid burn-out much longer than employees waiting for external recognition, i.e. titles or bonuses. The difference is external motivation is controlled by the organization and boss (takes time) vs. internal motivation being decided by the individual (begins right away). Leaders who aren't able to offer $ incentives can still cultivate an intrinsic reward mindset, helping their teams value things like learning new skills, professional relationships, creativity/innovation, and social impact. When $ isn't available, try to build the perceived value of these everyday wins.

To reignite your team's passion amidst burnout, inspire action by setting achievable, meaningful goals. Empower your team by involving them in decision-making, allowing them to have a stake in the outcomes. Recognize and celebrate small wins to build momentum and boost morale. Share inspirational stories of resilience and success to motivate them. By demonstrating your commitment to their growth and success, you can inspire them to take initiative and re-engage with their work with renewed energy and purpose.