The burnout battle (and how to combat it)

Hello, and welcome back to The Events Insider, your monthly roundup of interesting conversations in the events sector. And what’s more relevant than mental health as we head into the final few months of yet another busy year??

More specifically, burnout and what the events industry can (and should) be doing to combat it.?

Right, let’s get into it!?

Health and wellness benefits have been a hot topic for a few years now, but just how much of that is reflected in people’s experiences on the job??

(Spoiler alert: not enough!)?

A couple of weeks ago, we asked the question: Are companies doing enough for mental health and wellbeing? (Check out the poll here , for more on the discussion).?

Yes, it’s great to offer enough time off; and maybe even some dedicated mental health perks and subscriptions. But that’s only going to translate into a healthy and happy team if we break the negative cycle of overwork being a badge of honour and start rethinking our opinion of success.

We already know that the events sector is demanding. Deadlines are brutal, and workloads can easily become overwhelming if we don’t pay attention to them.? And even for those who do try to maintain a healthy work/life balance, it’s hard! Irregular schedules and last-minute changes can wreak havoc, making it difficult to plan effectively.?

Even the healthiest team dynamics can strain under the pressure, which makes it all the more important that everyone (and that includes those right at the top) prioritise mental health.?

Here’s how to ensure you’re not just talking the talk when it comes to wellness…

Communicate?

Ensure you have open channels of communication for any feedback or challenges. Make sure that the people on your team know that they can put their hands up if they’re struggling.?

Skill development

Are people as efficient and effective as they could be in their role? Invest in continuous improvement and learning opportunities within your team to ensure everyone feels empowered and informed.?

Embrace tech

Sure, an app can’t replace most of the grunt work of the events sector, but it may be able to lighten the load on repetitive admin tasks! Explore how tools and technology can streamline processes and enable your team to get more done with the hours at their disposal.?

Flexibility

Pay attention to workload and try to distribute work and responsibilities in such a way that no one person is left doing the bulk of the work for every project.?

Prioritise mental health

Lead by example by prioritising your own work/life balance and by demonstrating healthy stress management techniques. This, in turn, creates a supportive culture where people feel comfortable talking about their own challenges, fostering a sense of community.?

Burnout is a very real challenge in our industry. Whether you’re looking to start growing your team to alleviate pressure or simply want to discuss how you can optimise your existing business, we’d love to chat. Drop us a message to set up a call.?

Until next month,?

The Live Recruitment Team