The FT’s Comment On Burn Out
There have been more articles than I can count about burnout and the great resignation recently but this one in the FT resonated as it identified three areas that may get overlooked as companies rush to find solutions.
https://lnkd.in/dXEWbEQP (this is pay walled)
Many employees feel uncomfortable talking to their manager
about burnout."We have to ask - don't assume”
"You don't have to have the solution, but people need to be
heard".In the rush to find solutions, and there are lots of solutions being proposed, are the safe places being created for employees to be heard and leaders to listen?
#coaching #leaders #people #leadershipdevelopment #burnout #greatresignation #leadershiplens #ft
When Work Life Just Becomes Muscle Memory
Senior leaders I work with tell me that they are stuck and frustrated in “routine”.
Many struggle to free themselves, to make a bigger impact and achieve the potential that they were hired to deliver.
One potential cause is muscle memory.
"Muscle memory", the ability of our muscles to remember certain movements or actions after repeated practice”.
There is a growing concern that our work lives have become so routine and habitual that we are no longer consciously thinking about the tasks we are performing.
Obviously certain parts of work require an element of this, however, when this tips beyond a certain level we may find ourselves going through the motions without really thinking about what we're doing.
Technology has become a driver of why work life has become an exercise in muscle memory. We rely heavily on smartphones, email, and other digital tools to manage our work and communicate with colleagues. These can be helpful and if nothing else allow us to deal with certain elements of work at speed. However, they can also create a sense of automation and routine in our work lives.
As a result, we may find ourselves going through the motions without really thinking about what we're doing. We may be responding to emails, attending meetings, and completing tasks without ever stopping to consider whether these actions are truly necessary or if there is a more efficient or effective way to do them.
Research has shown that when we rely on routine and habit to perform tasks, we may become less creative and innovative. According to a study conducted by the University of Illinois, participants who performed a task repeatedly for several days showed decreased creativity compared to those who performed the task only once.
This is because when we rely on muscle memory to perform tasks, we are less likely to explore new ideas and approaches. Instead, we may continue to perform tasks in the same way because it feels comfortable and familiar.
Likely consequences of muscle memory imbalance in the workplace include:
Less creativity and innovation,
When we are constantly performing the same tasks without thinking, we may become bored or disengaged with work. Which in turn can lead to,
Decreased productivity,
Increased absenteeism,
Low retention rates
Physical and mental health problems.
In a growing number of cases burn out,
This can lead to feelings of exhaustion, frustration, and dissatisfaction, which can ultimately lead to burnout,
Research has shown that burnout is a major issue in the workplace, with an estimated 23% of employees experiencing burnout at some point in their careers.
Some of the ways we can combat this and stop it from happening are.
Create the space and time to allow yourself to regularly evaluate your work habits and routines.
Stay curious by taking a step back and asking yourself whether the tasks we are performing are truly necessary,
or if there is a more efficient or effective way to do them.
Create opportunities for professional development, attend workshops, and encourage knowledge sharing. By continuously learning, you'll be more engaged and less likely to get stuck relying on muscle memory.
Set Personal Challenges: Continuously challenge yourself by setting personal goals or challenges that go beyond your daily routine. These goals can be related to efficiency, productivity, or learning new skills.
Implement "Hack Days" or "Innovation Time": Dedicate specific days or time periods where you can explore new ideas outside of the regular routine.
Seek Feedback. Regularly seek feedback from colleagues or supervisors on your work and processes. Act on the feedback received and on your approach to tasks. By constantly refining and improving your methods, you avoid stagnation and ensure your work remains dynamic and effective.
Practice mindfulness. Research has shown that mindfulness can have numerous benefits in the workplace, including increased productivity, creativity, and well-being.
The phenomenon of work life becoming muscle memory can have negative implications for productivity, creativity, and well-being in the workplace.
However, these strategies can be used to combat this issue.
Let’s get back to purposeful engaged innovative stimulating work.