How to Deal with your Team's Burn Out

As an Entreprenista, your business is not just a job, it’s a passion. You put in long hours, sweat and tears, and endless effort to make it successful. However, this can often lead to burnout, especially during times of high stress. And with May being National Mental Health Awareness Month, it’s important to address this issue and take care of your team’s mental wellbeing, as well.

Here’s how to identify, speak to your employees about, and deal with burnout with your employees:

Identifying Burnout

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. Some common signs of burnout include decreased productivity, lack of motivation, exhaustion, irritability, and decreased job satisfaction.

It’s important to recognize these signs in your employees so that you can take action before it becomes a bigger issue. Consider having regular check-ins with your team and pay attention to changes in their behavior or attitude.

Speaking to Your Employees

Approaching the topic of burnout can be difficult, but it’s important to do so in a sensitive and empathetic manner. Consider having a one-on-one conversation with your employee and starting the conversation with an open-ended question like “how are you feeling?”

If your employee expresses that they are experiencing burnout, offer support and encourage them to take time off if needed. Consider offering mental health resources or encouraging them to seek outside help if necessary. Let them know that their wellbeing is a top priority and that you are there to support them.

Dealing with Burnout

Preventing burnout is key, but it’s also important to have a plan in place to deal with it if it does happen. Consider implementing flexible working hours or allowing your employees to work from home. Encourage your team to take breaks throughout the day and to take time off when needed.

Tips for your conversation:

• Express your concern and let them know that you are there to support them
• Encourage them to take time off if needed, and assure them that their workload can be managed in their absence
• Offer mental health resources or encourage them to seek outside help if necessary
• Remind them that their mental health and wellbeing is a top priority, and that taking care of themselves is important for their productivity and job satisfaction
• Work together to come up with a plan to prevent future burnout, such as flexible working hours, mental health resources, or self-care practices
• Follow up regularly and continue to check in on their wellbeing

As an Entreprenista, it’s important to lead by example and prioritize your own mental wellbeing as well. Take breaks when needed, prioritize self-care, and make time for things outside of work.

Burnout is a serious issue that can affect the mental health and wellbeing of your employees. As a founder, it’s important to recognize the signs of burnout and have a plan in place to prevent and deal with it. Approach the topic with sensitivity and empathy, and prioritize the mental health of your team. Let National Mental Health Awareness Month be a reminder to take care of yourself and your team. 

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