The Leader’s Role in Workplace Burnout
INTRODUCTION
Today, we are joined by a special guest, Meriya Dyble the VP of People and Culture at FYI Health Group. Meriya, a trusted former colleague, brings a wealth of wisdom to our discussion on burnout. As a leader, mother of two teenagers, and a board member for Big Brothers and Sisters, she is deeply committed to enabling people to be their best. Today’s discussion centers around leaders and their teams, and how we can work with our teams so they avoid burnout.
Leadership and Burnout
Every organization lives in a state of chaos in their day-to-day function whether they’re mature or not. Meriya sheds light on the challenges faced by leaders, emphasizing the importance of navigating the chaos within organizations. She highlights the significance of enabling teams to understand the organizational priorities and how their roles contribute.
Micro Changes and Celebrating Wins
When we talk about change, we’re often talking about transformational changes, but I think we underestimate the number of micro changes that take place on a daily basis that need to happen for us to be able to get to the big change. Meriya emphasizes for us the need to celebrate everyday wins, recognizing how those small steps forward contribute to the big ‘C’ changes. Focusing on forward momentum is key to preventing burnout and maintaining hope.
Identifying Burnout and Having Conversations
The first thing to go when you experience burnout is your self-awareness. Meriya advocates for having open conversations with your team using tools like the Mental Health Continuum. Employees need to know how their behaviors are affecting the team, and they need to be released to get the help they need without feeling shame over their health struggle. These conversations need to be a part of every leader's toolkit as mental health struggles are on the rise.
Addressing Burnout with Stigmatization
Burnout is neither a badge of honour nor a weakness. Organizations need to recognize their limitations in addressing mental health issues. As leaders, we want to support our team members, but we can’t be their counselors. There are professionals who have gone to university to help people with these problems, and we would be wise to direct employees in their direction.
Creating Supportive Culture
People that feel a sense of purpose at work have a higher self-worth. Meriya discusses the importance of purpose, communication, and leadership in fostering a positive culture. Connecting with people on a personal level and establishing supportive systems that reduce the number of micro-decisions in a day are key elements to a supportive culture.
Balancing Company and Employee Needs
Touching on the balance between the needs of the company and the needs of the employee, Mariah emphasizes the importance of leading by example, encouraging team members and leaders to set boundaries and prioritize self-care. Employees are adults, and as much as we might need feedback once in a while, we also want to be trusted to manage our work effectively on our own.
Conclusion
If you’re experiencing burnout, make use of the tools available to you. If you have employee assistance programs, or a doctor you really trust, or even a best friend who will tell you what you need to hear, be kind to yourself and reach out. And let’s never lose the art of having fun in the workplace and in our personal lives. It feels good to have fun and to live our lives lit! 🔥
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