Photosynthetic Processes

Everyone should know about photosynthesis, right? At least you should have heard of it. The main thing that it does is that it converts light into stuff that the plant needs. Today I am going to be explaining how it does this.

When light strikes the plant, it is absorbed into the thylakoid, a part of the plant cell. Inside the thylakoid, you will see that the light is actually absorbed by a protein. That protein is either photosystem I or photosystem II. Inside there are the molecules of chlorophyll and carotenoids.

The photosystem then takes the light, some water, and some carbon dioxide together with ADP and NADP+, converting it into ATP and NADPH. These energy carriers are then used to power the synthesis of glucose, which is used by the plant. In the process, the high energy carrier molecules are broken back down into ADP and NADP+, releasing energy. It is that energy that powers the gluconeogenesis process.

In the process, pyruvate is converted to oxaloacetate, then phosphoenolpyruvate, then 2-phosphoglycerate , 3-phosphoglycerate, and 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate. This is where it gets weird. Here, some of the 1,3-bisphosphoglycerateis converted with glycerol into dihydroxyacetone-phosphate. The 1,3-bisphosphoglycerate is reacted with the dihydroxyacetone-phosphate to form fructose-1,6-bisphosphate. The old process continues with fructose-6-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphate, glucose-6-phosphatase, and finally, glucose.

The above section is the unedited writings of my son.

Photosynthesis and Coaching

I could go on about how, like photosynthesis 🌱, coaching is the life-giving process which shines light 🕯️upon the coachee’s inner world 🌏 and nourishes it, but you’ll probably gag 😆, so let’s talk about something else.

Let’s talk about burnout. 🔥

The thing that struck me when I read my son’s part, is how complicated the photosynthetic process is. I learnt about photosynthesis in school almost 40 years ago. It’s taught as a process by which plants absorb sunlight ☀️ and make food. Simple right?

I feel like it’s the same when I tell others about burnout. One senior leader told me, “It’s just too much work 🏋️ isn’t it?”

Yes, and…

Yes, photosynthesis is how plants 🌴 make food. Yes, burnout is too much work.

AND

Like photosynthesis, there’s a whole host of other factors involved. Why look at them? Because burnout is often a vicious cycle. 😖

One of the main theories of burnout is the conservation of resources. It states that burnout starts when there is a significant loss or threat of loss of resources (a retrenchment announcement, for instance 😨). The depleted resources lead to less ability to cope with job demands, leading to more resource loss.

So to look at just job demands alone is insufficient. What was a perfectly reasonable demand when the leader was well-resourced is now overwhelming as he spirals into the depths of burnout. 😵

This is the reason why leaders sometimes feel burnout is a "willingness" issue. To them, this person was perfectly capable of dealing with this workload. He has dealt with it before. Thus, why is it a problem now? Answer: resource loss 😣

What resources are we referring to?

Organisationally, this means:

1. Manpower 👥
2. Equipment 🛠️
3. Time ⏰
4. Budget 💰

On an individual level, they mean:

1. Mental and emotional resources 🧠 ❤️
2. Support networks 🤗
3. Physical health⚕

As a burnout coach, I work with leaders on those exact resources.

Mental and Emotional Resources

Perfectionism, fear of failure, and anxiety, are some of the common contributors. As leaders become more burnt out, the flight or fight instinct takes over. Everything appears to be a life or death situation and prioritisation is more and more difficult.

Take a pitstop and ask yourself:

1.  Does it feel like everything you do is critical?

2.  Is there nothing you can drop from your list of tasks?

3.  Do you feel powerless to reduce the amount you do at work?

This heightened stress response causes greater emotional load, and eventually emotional exhaustion.

Most leaders I know care deeply for their people. They often hesitate to delegate to their team as they feel team members are just as overloaded as them. Or they balk at asking team members to sacrifice as much as they do. As one MD told me, “I can’t expect my team to work weekends the way I do.”

That emotional load of caring for others increases burnout (yes, heartless leaders burn out less 😅).

But delegation can be a real growth opportunity for your people. Look at what you can take off their plates so that they have the capacity to take on higher value work from you. It helps their career advancement and your succession planning.

Support Networks

I’ve met many leaders in the course of my work who found it hard to ask for help. The reasons range from “they can’t provide me with the help I need” to “I’m stronger than them and should help them”.

Sadly, I’ve had to inform many of these leaders that they’re also human. 😔

And being human means we need partners to brainstorm solutions with, friends to emotionally support us, and even mentors to show us the way forward.

Ask yourself:

1.  Who in your life provides you with emotional support when things are tough?

2.  Who can you bounce ideas with when you meet a difficult problem?

3.  What mentors and sponsors do you have to guide you in your decision making?

If the answer is no to all of the above, stop trying to God, and start look for other humans.

Physical Health

Eat healthy, exercise, and sleep well. The issue with physical health is probably that we all know it’s important and what to do about it. But it’s never a priority until it’s no longer there.

Well, now you have another reason. Healthy people burn out less.

Ask yourself:

1.  What stops you from taking care of your health the way you need to?

2.  What is one small, easy step you can take to improve your physical health?

3.  Who can you get to support you or join you in improving your health?

Photosynthesis and Burnout

Photosynthesis may give plants the energy to live, grow, and thrive, but the process still depends on the raw materials the plants need.

Like photosynthesis, there are many more factors that contribute to our burnout or resilience. Think of the mental and emotional strength, support network, and physical health as your light, water, and air. Without them, you will wither.

P.S. 🛑

If you’ve read my previous newsletters you’d know there is usually a section following this on how to apply this information as a leader and another on how to apply it as a coach. I’ve received feedback that my newsletters are too long so I’ll put those into another edition that’ll be out later.

Till then, take care and stay well!