Your team member is experiencing burnout. How can you support them without crossing boundaries?

Burnout's a beast, we’ve probably all experienced it lurk in the shadows of even the brightest teams. Here's a thought: what if we approached it like shadow work? Listen, really listen, to your colleague. No quick fixes, just genuine understanding. It's about creating a safe space for them to unveil their struggles. By acknowledging their shadows, we help them step into the light. Good support isn't about solving their problems, it's about standing beside them as they find their own path.

Showing concern without judgment lets your team member know that you're empathetic and compassionate. That non-judgmental concern allows them to safely feel your support and at that point, they may welcome your ideas or suggestions around how to engage in self care or efforts to support their well being.

While we can be helpful in offering a listening ear and encouraging breaks, going through a burnout and recovery is not as simple as taking a break nor is it a short-term issue. The fact that burnout stems from prolonged period of stress may also indicate that they have been trying to cope with it for a long time. Precisely because of that, sometimes it can be difficult to be there without extensive support as their views or perspectives towards work may also have shifted. It is helpful for them to speak with someone who can also help them understand where it might have stemmed from, how to cope with current situation and how to manage and prevent future burnouts.

Boundaries in burnout support? Absolutely crucial. It's like tending a garden - you nurture without overwatering. I've learned that respecting privacy while offering compassion is an art. It's about creating a safe space without stepping into their personal shadows. As a manager I see myself as a guide, not saviour. Offer support, but know when to step back. It's a delicate dance between professional care and personal space. By setting clear limits, we actually empower our colleagues to find their own path through the fog of burnout. It's not about fixing, it's about facilitating their journey back to balance.

In my years of shadow coaching, I've found that reinforcing positivity is like shining a light into the shadows of burnout. It's not about empty praise, but genuine recognition of one's strengths and contributions. A simple "I see your hard work" can be transformative. Remember, we're not just lifting spirits, we're rebuilding confidence. It's about reminding them of their value, their unique gifts. This isn't just feel-good fluff; it's a powerful tool for resilience. By focusing on their innate worth, we help them rediscover their inner light, guiding them back from the brink of burnout to a place of renewed purpose and energy.

It's important to check in regularly without being intrusive. This shows that you care about their well-being, both personally and professionally. Recognize that if one team member is experiencing burnout, others might be too. Help everyone by reducing meeting requirements, building focused work time into their calendars, and adding some fun to the week, like a team lunch or ending an hour earlier on Fridays. Allowing the team to be effective with a small reward at the end can help recharge everyone!

You could insert a morning routine in the company to have a daily morning routine in mindfulness or even more effectively... a morning breathwork meditation routine. 30 minutes in the morning that would make your coworkers, colleagues, clients... whom every you decide to participate... feel more part of a team (in a few days you'd feel like a tribe with the right techniques). Feel more aligned... you are not only aligning by breathing in rhythm, your hearts will start beating the same... You might even start to think the same thoughts. And everyone will be feeling less stressed, more efficient, happier (best if you use the daily D.O.S.E.) ... what do you have to lose?