Burnout Epidemic: Part I

Recently, Microsoft performed a study and discovered that 53% of managers express burnout. Navigating the pandemic, inflation, and current culture wars, have taken its toll on our business communities.

A Harvard Business Review article dove into the reasons behind this level of burnout. Author, Christina Maslach, identified six core reasons.

This list includes: having an unsustainable workload, a perceived lack of control, insufficient rewards for effort, a lack of a supportive community, a lack of fairness, and mismatched values and skills.

Even Elijah experienced burnout. In 1 Kings 19:4, we read, “(Elijah) came to a broom bush, sat down under it and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, Lord,” he said.”

In this series, we will explore each reason behind burnout and some steps to help.

Questions For Reflection

• Have you ever experienced burnout? Were you able to manage your burnout? If so, how? Did it require a job change or lifestyle adjustment? Would you consider yourself to be burnt out? If not, could you become burnt out if you do not slow your current pace?
• Have you seen others struggle with burnout? Is it prevalent in your workplace? Have you considered trying to address it? What could you do to help those around you struggling with burnout?