Entrepreneur Plus - Short White
For Subscribers

How Entrepreneurs Can Prevent Burnout Among Their Teams Burnout is the common cold of companies -- pervasive and surprisingly destructive.

By Aytekin Tank

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In 2019, the World Health Organization officially recognized burnout, describing it as a syndrome that results from "chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed," characterized by feelings of energy exhaustion, increased negative feelings about work, and reduced professional efficacy. It had been nearly five decades since the concept of burnout had been introduced, by psychologist Herbert J. Freudenberger in 1973, and since then it had seemingly only gotten worse. In fact, the syndrome was so pervasive that the WHO committed to developing guidelines for mental well-being in the workplace

But in the past year, with employees around the globe rapidly transitioning to remote work, burnout took on a new dimension — for many, filled with restless kids, dirty dishes and a host of new factors demanding our attention while we're working from home. It's no wonder that research found that 2020 was the most stressful year people have experienced in their working lives. What's more, by some estimates, more than 25% of the United States workforce will continue working remotely through at least next fall. The risk of burnout seems to loom larger than ever.

Though employees can and should take self-care into their own hands and develop healthy work habits, leaders can also be proactive about preventing burnout among their teams. According to recent Gallup research, managers are largely responsible for the conditions most likely to cause or prevent burnout.

This is a subscriber-only article. Join Entrepreneur+ today for access

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

These Great-Grandparents Booked 51 Back-to-Back Cruises Because It's 'Cheaper Than a Retirement Home'

Retirees Marty and Jess Ansen hopped on a cruise ship nearly two years ago and never left.

Business Models

Pros or Pretenders? How to Choose a Reliable PR Agency in 6 Steps

With a multitude of names vying for clients' attention, how can you be certain that you're selecting a dependable PR contractor?

Business Culture

3 Valuable Business Lessons from Harvard's Unabomber College Reunion Controversy

In 2012, Harvard mailed out a questionnaire to its alumni. One of their alum, Theodore Kaczynski (The Unabomber), mailed back a response from prison... and Harvard published it, hurting their reputation. Here are three business risk mitigation lessons to learn from the debacle.

Business News

A Woman Is Suing Disney World After Suffering 'Injurious' Waterslide Wedgie at Typhoon Lagoon

Emma McGuinness was going down the Humunga Kowabunga waterslide when the incident occurred.

Business News

Amazon Users Report Receiving Mysterious Gift Card Emails, Sparking Scam Worries

Amazon customers were puzzled when they received multiple unexpected gift card purchase confirmation emails for transactions they never made.

Leadership

It's a Great Time Make Money With a Podcast. Industry Experts Tell You How.

A panel of podcast experts outlines the most effective strategies for growing your audience and your revenue.