Thriving After Burnout: A Manager’s Guide

Explore Tracie's journey through burnout and recovery, uncover the hidden truths about workplace burnout, and gain actionable strategies to thrive. Get actionable tips from Tracie and learn how tools like Textio can help managers foster healthier, more productive teams

Tracie Sponenberg

January 17, 2025

Burnout.  You’ve heard the term.  But what is it, really? And more importantly, how can you not just recover from burnout, but thrive after it? 

 

While I’m now an advisor and consultant to frontline companies, I spent thirty years in the corporate world, most recently as a Chief People Officer for a frontline company based in NH.   I’ve not only witnessed burnout in others, but I’ve been through it myself. 

 

Burnout defined 

Burnout is an occupational phenomenon resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed. Defined by the World Health Organization, it is characterized by three key dimensions: feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, increased mental distance or negativism about one's job, and reduced professional efficacy. Unlike a medical condition, burnout specifically refers to work-related experiences and manifests through symptoms such as emotional and physical exhaustion, cynicism towards work, decreased productivity, and a sense of ineffectiveness. It develops subtly over time, impacting workers in ways they might not immediately recognize, and can lead to significant job dissatisfaction and personal unhappiness 

 

Some statistics 

Let's look at some eye-opening burnout statistics: 

• Up to 50% of managers report feeling burned out 
• 24% of managers are considering quitting their jobs 
• Over half of managers suffer from burnout symptoms 
• An alarming 98% of HR professionals report feelings of burnout 

However, new research suggests that we may be misinterpreting the prevalence of true burnout. A study by Dayforce argues that genuine burnout affects only about 15% of organizations, not the 80-88% often cited.

 

Redefining Burnout 

Traditionally, burnout has been defined as a serious condition involving the dimensions discussed above. It's caused by prolonged and excessive stress and can lead to physical and mental health problems, including emotional and physical exhaustion, reduced performance, and behavioral issues 

 

However, the Dayforce study identifies five distinct states often lumped together as "burnout": 

1. Truly burned out 
2. Engaged 
3. Disengaged 
4. Ineffective 
5. Overextended 

The study explains that understanding these differences is crucial because each state requires a different intervention. 

 

Regardless of whether you view burnout through the traditional lens, or the approach that Dayforce takes, it is a serious issue impacting nearly every workplace – and many of your employees – especially managers.  

 

My Own Burnout Experience 

I've learned over the past few years that burnout isn't a one-size-fits-all condition. It's a nuanced experience that can manifest differently for everyone. When I first recognized my own burnout, I initially mistook it for grief or seasonal depression. But when I read a Forbes article by Jack Kelly, I immediately felt seen.  And knew I was one of the 98% of HR professionals reporting feelings of burnout.  That was a huge turning point.  I could begin to recover but just as importantly, I could recognize the signs in others. 

 

The Ripple Effect of Manager Burnout 

When leaders experience burnout, the impact extends beyond their personal well-being: 

• Decreased employee engagement and motivation 
• Increased turnover rates 
• Diminished team performance 

In fact, nearly half of millennials have left a job specifically because they felt burned out 

 

The Road to Recovery 

Recovering from burnout is a personal journey, but here are seven steps that can help: 

• Acknowledge the problem 
• Create distance from stressors 
• Prioritize self-care 
• Seek professional help 
• Establish boundaries 
• Engage in enjoyable activities 
• Practice self-compassion 

Strategies for Thriving Post-Burnout 

It’s possible to not only survive burnout but thrive after burnout.  But it requires a deep commitment from both you and your company.  Here’s how you can start to thrive:  

• Reassess workload and expectations 
• Cultivate work-life harmony 
• Foster supportive relationships 
• Invest in personal growth 
• Set and commit to boundaries 

Burnout isn't necessarily about working too much, though that can be a cause. It's about the disconnectedness from work that you may have once enjoyed.  The Sunday scaries every single day for weeks and months. And much more.

 

Organizational Support for Managers 

Organizations play a crucial role in preventing and addressing burnout.  Here’s how you can start: 

• Implement training programs for stress management and burnout 
• Offer resources for mental health support 
• Promote a culture of open communication 

However, it's not just about offering resources. Organizations must also examine workload, flexibility, and support structures.

 

Leveraging Technology to Combat Burnout 

One innovative approach to reducing manager burnout is leveraging AI-powered tools like those offered by Textio. These tools can significantly streamline recruiting communications, interview feedback, and performance reviews, helping managers do less while performing better. 

 

Textio's suite of integrated recruiting and feedback tools helps attract top talent and develop employees' skills with actionable feedback. By working directly in textio.com or extending Textio into existing ATS or performance management tools, organizations can implement powerful solutions that are both simple and scalable

 

The Power of Effective Feedback 

One of Textio's key features is its ability to help managers provide more growth-oriented, actionable feedback. This fosters trust and improves team performance, addressing a critical aspect of manager-employee relationships that can contribute to burnout when mishandled. And, Textio's AI is built on a foundation of over 1 billion HR documents, with 10 million new records added monthly. This extensive dataset allows the platform to predict how feedback will land with employees, helping managers communicate more effectively and reduce stress associated with performance management 

A Call to Action 

As we navigate the complexities of modern work environments, it's crucial to assess our understanding of burnout, implement new strategies for ourselves and our teams, and foster open conversations about well-being in the workplace. By recognizing the signs of burnout, taking steps to recover, and implementing strategies to thrive, managers can not only improve their own well-being but also create healthier, more productive workplaces for their teams.  

Remember, every individual's experience with burnout is unique. What works for one person may not work for another. The key is to remain open, adaptable, and committed to fostering an environment where everyone can thrive, not just survive.  

I’m proof that it's possible to move beyond burnout and create a more fulfilling, balanced work life for ourselves and our teams. 

💻 For more tips like these, be sure to check out my Free Textio U Course: Thriving After Burnout: A Manager's Perspective

- Tracie Sponenberg