Reducing Burnout – The Importance of Removing ‘Sand In The Underpants’

Burnout is often framed as a simple case of excessive workload, yet Dr Michael Leiter’s extensive research highlights a broader, more nuanced reality: burnout is deeply influenced not just by the volume of tasks but by the nature of the work, our connection to it, and the quality of relationships surrounding us. At nXus People, we’re seeing more leaders and teams re-evaluating how these factors, beyond workload, are shaping their engagement and resilience in the workplace. This is particularly the case in sectors & organisations that must deliver complex outcomes at pace, such as Defence and Defence Industry. They simply won’t deliver what they need to deliver if they carry on with a work harder/add more resource mentality.

At a recent nXus People leaders deep dive discussion a leading CEO in the not-for-profit sector shared an example from her husband’s experience as an army officer. During operations, he could manage the intense tempo of work and high stakes. But what drained him most wasn’t the load itself. What drained him was characterised as constant ‘sand in the underpants’ (SITU): the meaningless admin tasks, endless reports, and unnecessary meetings. In short, the things that added no value. This view was echoed when we worked with a large cohort of senior ADF officers; it was the SITU that had the biggest impact.

Dr Leiter’s work supports this, showing how burnout is fuelled when people are disconnected from their work's purpose and burdened by repetitive, unchallenging tasks. These tasks diminish the sense of accomplishment and autonomy, leading to a slow erosion of enthusiasm and motivation. When our professional environment is filled with "SITU," even the most resilient leaders feel the drag.

Asking the Right Questions: Removing SITU for Better Engagement

So, what can leaders do to remove the sand from their team’s figurative underpants? First, ask the right questions. Take a closer look at how work is structured, and which tasks might be adding unnecessary friction. When was the last time your team evaluated the purpose behind their day-to-day tasks? Do they feel they’re making a meaningful contribution? Is there a sense of alignment in their roles, or do certain tasks create more frustration than value?

A simple conversation with team members about what feels "sand-like" can uncover surprising insights.

Building Connection and Reducing Burnout

At nXus People, we’ve found that purpose-driven work and strong interpersonal connections are critical to preventing burnout. Burnout isn’t inevitable. Dr Leiter emphasises that feeling part of a team with shared goals and supportive relationships enhances resilience. When leaders address and remove “sand” from roles, they’re not only improving operational efficiency but also creating a foundation for a healthier, more motivated team.

For those curious to explore more ways to identify and address burnout beyond the workload, we’d be delighted to continue the conversation. And for leaders wondering what “sand” might exist in their own teams, take a moment to ask—and see what meaningful impact these conversations can spark.

#Leadership #Wellbeing #BurnoutPrevention #EmployeeEngagement