Protect Your Team from “Ethical Burnout”

• Workplace stress is unavoidable, but unchecked pressure can lead to ethical burnout, making it tough for employees to maintain integrity.
• Increased commercial pressures: Ambitious targets can lead to risks and ethical lapses. Solution: Coach employees to set realistic goals and maintain open communication channels.
• “Survival mode” thinking: Job insecurity can push employees into self-preservation, jeopardizing ethical standards. Solution: Address stress openly and encourage peer support through “ethics ambassadors.”
• Decision-making overload: The need for speed can lead to shortcuts. Solution: Encourage slower, deliberative thinking to allow for ethical decision-making.
• Culture of envy and competition: Personal ambition can blur ethical boundaries. Solution: Celebrate and reward collective team wins to keep high performers grounded.

This tip is adapted from “4 Warning Signs of Ethical Burnout on Your Team ,” by Richard Bistrong et al.