Effectively Communicating When Running on Empty: A Leadership Guide to Combat Burnout

Previously linked predominantly with millennial professionals, burnout now affects a broader range of age groups. This surge has been amplified by heightened workplace pressures and concerns stemming from the pandemic's repercussions, political unrest, and economic uncertainties.

As described by the Mayo Clinic (2021), burnout has threatened the very fabric of our workplaces. Surprisingly, a whopping 7 in 10 employees reported feelings of burnout in 2022, a sentiment that cuts across all ranks, from new hires to top executives (Grucela, 2023). From decreased productivity to increased turnover and low engagement, the repercussions of burnout severely undermine a company's bottom line. While self-care and preventive strategies are paramount, what happens when you're already running on empty and still need to communicate effectively as a leader?

Understanding Burnout's Impact on Communication

Burnout clouds judgment, hampers empathy, and impedes clear communication. It’s not just about feeling tired; it’s about the gradual erosion of one’s ability to connect, inspire, and guide. When drained, even simple conversations can become arduous, let alone critical leadership communications.

Strategies for Effective Communication Amidst Burnout

1. Recognize and Acknowledge: Self-awareness is the first step. Recognize when you’re feeling the strains of burnout and acknowledge its impact on your communication. This isn’t about being self-deprecating, but about setting a context. If needed, let your team know you're navigating personal challenges but are committed to the collective goal.
2. Simplify and Prioritize: When energy is limited, it’s essential to focus on the most critical communications. What are the urgent and crucial messages that need to be conveyed? Strip away the noise and communicate in a concise, clear manner.
3. Leverage the Team: Leaders often shoulder the burden of communication, but when facing burnout, it's wise to lean on the team. Empower trusted senior members to take the lead in specific areas of communication. This not only divides the load but also offers a fresh perspective.
4. Embrace Asynchronous Communication: Tools that allow for communication not in real-time, such as emails or collaboration platforms, can be beneficial. They provide the luxury of time to think, draft, revise, and articulate your thoughts without the immediate pressure of a live response.
5. Practice Active Listening: When burnout looms, there’s a tendency to become insular. However, now more than ever, listening becomes vital. Understand the needs, concerns, and inputs of your team. Often, they might offer solutions or perspectives you hadn’t considered.
6. Seek Feedback: Just as you're open about your challenges, encourage your team to provide feedback on your communication. Are the messages clear? Is there something they need more clarity on? This two-way feedback loop ensures no critical information slips through the cracks.
7. Recharge and Reconnect: While this isn’t a direct communication strategy, ensuring you set aside small pockets of time for rejuvenation can significantly improve your communication quality. This might mean short breaks during the day, tech-free hours, or even seeking support through coaching or therapy.

Resilience in Leadership: Prioritizing Self-Awareness for Clear Communication Amidst Burnout

Amid the demands of leadership, the subtle indicators of burnout can easily be overlooked. The fleeting thoughts of "I'm too spent for this discussion" or "I'm ill-prepared for this meeting" might emerge, but acknowledging them post facto does little to alleviate the challenge at hand. The true hallmark of effective leadership is the proactive recognition and addressing of these feelings before they undermine communication efforts.

Leading a team is like walking a tightrope—balancing numerous responsibilities while ensuring clear, coherent communication. As a leader, you have eight million things happening in your head at the same time. You are trying to listen, you are trying to effectively convey your message, but you are also dealing with all the things that are not even in the room at that moment.

When at the helm, the weight of responsibility often means prioritizing everything and everyone else, inadvertently sidelining your own needs and well-being. However, to communicate effectively, particularly when drained, necessitates a heightened sense of self-awareness. It's crucial to periodically conduct a self-check, ensuring that while you care for others, you don't neglect yourself.

Effective leadership and communication hinge on recognizing when to momentarily step aside to rejuvenate, when to entrust tasks to others, and when to reach out for assistance. Leaders should cultivate a culture where voicing one's boundaries isn't merely acceptable—it's championed. This openness not only humanizes the leadership role but also paves the way for transparent conversations and collective support within the workforce.

Ultimately, leaders' most potent tool is not just their ability to communicate, but their capability to self-reflect, adapt, and model resilience amidst challenges. It's about setting the tone for a culture that acknowledges human limitations and prioritizes well-being while pursuing excellence. By embracing this approach, leaders can navigate the complexities of their roles, ensuring that even on the most draining days, their communication remains clear, compassionate, and effective.

References

• Attard, M. (2022, July 26). Communicating for engagement against rising burnout. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2022/07/26/communicating-for-engagement-against-rising-burnout/?sh=7c05110f4d20
• Grucela, A. (2023, June 11). Burnout Statistics. Passport Photo Online. https://passport-photo.online/blog/burnout-statistics/
• Hatfield, S., Fisher, J., & Silverglate, P. H. (2022, June 22). Employee wellness in the corporate workplace. Deloitte Insights. https://www2.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/leadership/employee-wellness-in-the-corporate-workplace.html
• Mayo Clinic Staff. (2021, June 05). Job burnout: How to spot it and take action. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642#:~:text=Job%20burnout%20is%20a%20special,as%20depression%2C%20are%20behind%20burnout .
• Taris, T. W., Ybema, J. F., & van Beek, I. (2017). Burnout and engagement: Identical twins or just close relatives? Burnout Research, 5. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.burn.2017.05.002
• Threlkeld, K. (2021, March 11). Preventing employee burnout report. Indeed. https://www.indeed.com/lead/preventing-employee-burnout-report
• Thompson, J. (2023, March 23). Why you need to worry about burnout. Business.com . https://www.business.com/articles/why-you-need-to-worry-about-burnout/
• Women at Work. (2023, July). Communicating effectively when you're running on empty. Harvard Business Review [Podcast episode]. https://hbr.org/podcast/2023/07/communicating-effectively-when-youre-running-on-empty
• Wiley, C. (2023, January 23). Executive burnout is real: Here’s what you can do about it. Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2023/01/23/executive-burnout-is-real-heres-what-you-can-do-about-it/?sh=b5c587c4eb10