There may never have been a more difficult time to lead a team than today. Our world has become uniquely volatile (Ukraine), uncertain (COVID), complex (social media), and ambiguous (culture wars). Talent shortages, supply chain issues, inflationary pressures, and rising interest rates are only a few of the many challenges leadership teams are facing. Is it any surprise that burnout is pervasive among employees and leaders alike?

Burnout is defined by overwhelming exhaustion, cynicism, detachment, lack of accomplishment, and a sense of ineffectiveness. The 2021 DDI Global Leadership Forecast found that:

• “Nearly 60% of leaders reported they feel used up at the end of the workday, which is a strong indicator of burnout.”

• “Approximately 44% of leaders who feel used up at the end of the day expected to change companies in order to advance; 26% expected to leave within the next year.”

• “Only 20% of surveyed leaders believed they were effective at leading virtually.”

So, what can you do about it? How can you prevent burnout?

I have 5 Leadership Strategies for you to consider as you’re leading through uncertainty:

Prioritize Your Self-Leadership

At Building Champions, we believe that self-leadership precedes team leadership. You need to recognize the signs of burnout and act to care for your well-being as a leader and a person. Ask yourself, “How am I showing up for my team?” Do you show signs of leader burnout with profound emotional exhaustion, negativity toward your customers, colleagues, or staff—are you losing your confidence or losing your cool? Use the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI), the leading psychometric assessment of burnout, to check in with yourself and identify triggers that may put you at risk for burnout.

Connect With Your Team

How is your team fairing during this difficult time? Your most powerful burnout proofing tool is consistent one-on-one meetings with each member of your team. Use this time to balance their workload, give them an appropriate level of control, ensure they feel connected to your team and your organization, and reinforce the important role they play on your team and in the company. If they are facing burnout, get them help. And always, always let them know how much you care for their success and well-being.

“In 2022 and beyond, leaders must constantly assess what their employee’s needs are and what sentiment on their team is like. The companies who will thrive in the new era of agility will be the ones who continue to evolve and, as a result, attract and retain better talent because they listen and adjust accordingly. Organizations that don’t will be left in the dust.”

Dr. Sahar Yousef, Cognitive Neuroscientist

Over Communicate Vision and Purpose

During this period of extreme uncertainty, it can be hard to envision or plan very far into the future. Asana’s Anatomy of Work Index 2021 survey of over 13,000 knowledge workers confirms that knowing that their work adds value to the business, contributes to the overall mission, and supports their teammates and managers drives motivation and engagement. You will win the war for talent and create a highly motivated team by ensuring every member feels they have a meaningful purpose, are doing worthwhile work, and have a chance to make a difference.

Get Clear On Your Priorities

While the future may be unclear, providing clarity today is essential. Too often leaders are unclear about what is important, in articulating priorities for the team and empowering individuals with authority and accountability to succeed. Work to answer the five questions every person wants to know (including you!), and your team will thrive:

• What do you want me to do?

• How am I doing?

• Where are we going from here?

• How will we get there?

• What’s in it for me?

Practice Agility

We often develop a plan that leads in a straight line to a fixed goal. That may have worked in more certain times but in these times of uncertainty, rigid plans get broken. Instead, be more like the navigation app Waze. Be clear about where you are starting and where you want to get to, but plan for multiple routes there. If conditions change, change the route but not the endpoint. And be transparent with your team about the uncertainty of your path forward. Engage them in scenario planning to build agility on your road to success.

During these uncertain times, I encourage you to take these actionable steps and answer these important questions. You can’t control the unknown, but you can prevent burnout. Implement these 5 Leadership Strategies and watch your team thrive.

At Building Champions, we create customized coaching engagements that focus on both the beliefs and behaviors of great leadership. We guide leaders, teams, and organizations to be healthy and high-performing so they can have a greater impact on everyone they serve. If you’d like to learn more about working with one of our mentors or coaches, schedule a call with us today!