Empathy: The Leader's Antidote to Burnout

Photo Courtesy of Chris Rhoads on Unsplash

As a leader, you're often the first one in and the last one out. The weight of your organization's success feels like constant pressure and that is a heavy burden to carry. But let's be honest, burnout is a real threat. It's not just about being tired; it's about feeling emotionally drained, physically exhausted, and mentally checked out. And when you're burned out, it's hard, if not impossible, to be the leader your team needs.

The Economic Impact of Burnout

Burnout is a serious issue, not only for individuals but also for organizations. A study by the World Health Organization (WHO) found that burnout is a workplace phenomenon characterized by chronic stress that leads to exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced performance.

• Prevalence: The WHO reports that 45% of healthcare workers experience burnout and a study published by Deloitte found that nearly 80% of workers have experienced some form of burnout at their current job.

• Economic Impact: Burnout costs organizations $1 trillion in lost productivity annually.

• Additional Costs: Businesses also incur significant costs due to increased healthcare expenses, absenteeism, and turnover.

Recognizing the Signs

It's important to know the signs of burnout before it's too late. Some common symptoms include:

• Physical exhaustion: Feeling tired all the time, even after getting enough sleep

• Emotional exhaustion: Feeling emotionally drained or apathetic

• Mental exhaustion: Difficulty concentrating or making decisions

• Increased cynicism: Feeling detached or cynical about your work

• Reduced performance: Struggling to meet deadlines or complete tasks

The Antidote: Taking Care of Yourself First

Remember the oxygen mask analogy on an airplane? You're supposed to put it on yourself before helping others. Well, the same goes for burnout. If you're not taking care of yourself, you won't have the energy or the capacity to support your team effectively and that can cause even more negative impact than intended (see our latest blog post highlighting the negative effects of a bad boss).

But how do you do that when you're on overdrive, carrying the pressure of leadership in your organization, and knowing that others are relying specifically on you to help them to succeed. Taking a moment to care for yourself can feel impossible, can feel selfish, and can flat out just be forgotten.

This is where empathy comes in.

Empathy: More Than Just Feeling

Empathy is often seen as the ability to understand and share the feelings of others. But it's more than that. It's also a self-awareness tool. When you're empathetic, you can recognize your own emotions and the impact they're having on you and your team. You can use empathy (or your empathic abilities) to understand not just what is going on in the environment around you, but inside of yourself too.

Photo Courtesy of Annie Spratt on Unsplash

Here's how empathy can benefit your well-being:

• Increased self-awareness: When you practice empathy, you become more attuned to your own feelings and emotions. This self-awareness can help you identify and address any underlying issues that may be contributing to stress or burnout.

• Improved emotional regulation: Empathy can help you regulate your emotions more effectively. By understanding the root causes of your feelings, you can develop healthier coping mechanisms and manage stress more effectively.

• Enhanced relationships: Empathy can strengthen your relationships with others by helping you understand their perspectives and communicate more effectively. This can lead to greater connection, support, and happiness.

• Greater compassion: Empathy can foster compassion for yourself and others. By understanding the human experience, you can cultivate a sense of kindness and forgiveness.

• Reduced stress and anxiety: Empathy can help you cope with stress and anxiety by providing a sense of perspective and understanding. By recognizing that you're not alone in your struggles, you can feel less isolated and overwhelmed.

Here are some practical tips for cultivating empathy for yourself:

• Practice active listening: Pay attention to what you are saying, seeing, and feeling.

• Reflect on your own emotions: Take time to reflect on your own feelings and experiences. Try to understand the underlying causes and triggers.

• Validate your emotions: Seek to normalize your feelings versus fight against them, even if you don't necessarily like having or feeling these emotions.

• Practice compassion: Be kind and understanding towards yourself and others. Treat yourself with the same compassion that you would offer to a friend.

One effective way to understand where you are - and to begin to cultivate empathy for yourself is through a body scan meditation. This practice involves bringing your attention to different parts of your body and noticing any sensations or emotions that arise.

Here's a simple body scan meditation you can try:

1. Find a comfortable position: Sit or lie down in a way that is relaxing and supportive.

2. Close your eyes: Take a few deep breaths and allow your body to relax.

3. Bring your attention to your feet: Notice any sensations in your feet, such as warmth, coolness, or tingling.

4. Move your attention up your body: Gradually bring your attention to your legs, hips, abdomen, chest, and arms. Notice any sensations or emotions that arise in each area.

5. Focus on your head and face: Pay attention to any sensations or emotions in your head, face, and neck.

6. Scan your entire body: Take a few moments to scan your entire body, noticing any areas of tension or relaxation.

7. Practice compassion: As you scan your body, offer yourself compassion and understanding. Notice any areas of tension or pain and gently acknowledge your feelings.

Conducting Body Scans to Offer Self-Empathy

By practicing this body scan meditation regularly, you can develop a greater awareness of your physical and emotional state. This self-awareness can help you cultivate empathy for yourself and others, leading to greater well-being and happiness.

Leading by Example

As a leader, you set the tone for your team. If you're prioritizing your own well-being, your team will be more likely to do the same. Here are some specific steps you can take:

• Prioritize self-care: Make time for activities that help you relax and recharge, such as exercise, meditation, or hobbies.

• Set healthy boundaries: Learn to say no and avoid overcommitting yourself. Remember that saying "yes" to something means you are saying "no" to something else. Be mindful of your tradeoffs.

• Take breaks: Schedule regular breaks throughout the day to rest and refocus to enhance your overall productivity.

• Encourage a healthy work-life balance: Promote a culture where employees are valued for their contributions and are not expected to work excessive hours normally.

• Foster a supportive environment: Create a workplace where employees feel valued, respected, and supported, honoring our common humanity and needs for self-actualization.

By prioritizing empathy and self-care, you can not only protect yourself from burnout but also create a healthier and more productive work environment for your team. Remember, a leader who is well-rested, emotionally balanced, and mentally sharp is a leader who can inspire and guide their team to success.

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Tami Chapek, CEO and Founder

Tami Chapek is the CEO, Founder and Head Coach at WeInspireWe. Tami believes that employees deserve better than they're getting today - and by supporting leadership development for all, individuals can tap into their true potential, unleash their leadership strength, and ultimately reach their greatest potential. She has dedicated her life to supporting her clients in finding true transformation for themselves, their teams, and their organizations, one authentic voice at a time.

Click here to book a free strategy session with Tami today.