Written by: Roxanne M St Clair, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Overwork and overwhelm are becoming a regular phenomenon, with many middle managers struggling to keep up with the demands of the job. This is by no means a new thing, as from time to time we have all had busy periods when life became hectic and we wondered when the pace would slow down. However, the current trend is becoming the norm for too many, especially those in the service industry.
A key example is Anne, a middle manager who works for a local authority. Not only does she have staffing issues, with fewer team members than required to cover all of the tasks assigned to her division, but she also has to satisfy the numerous demands of her bosses. These demands may be in direct conflict with the work of her division. What is she to do? Or think about John, an accountant, he too has more work than people to perform the tasks yet deadlines have to be met.
When everything seems to be moving at a fast pace it is quite common for some to pass a “problem” on before taking a short time to analyse whether applying a little more thought to the situation would help them to resolve the matter rather than making it someone else’s issue. This can be due to several reasons, such as an individual’s perspective or the efficiency of the system of communication within the organisation. Thus causing people to feel like the proverbial hamster on a wheel.
In a defined structure you often cannot see any other way to work, and it can feel as though there is no time to stop and reflect. It’s just work, work, and more work. This, of course, has an adverse effect because the more you keep grinding, the more exhausting it becomes. Eventually, you are running on fumes, and more prone to burning out. The thing with burnout is that when it peaks it is normally too late to put measures in place to avert some form of collapse. This can happen as a chronic illness, depression or even addiction.
The above graph highlights the top industries that are prone to burnout as of 2023. Additionally, for those in the accounting field, a 2022 survey conducted by the University of Georgia revealed that 99% of accountants have experienced burnout in the course of their career. This is just one industry, what about others!
For more information and support with ways to enhance team efficiency whilst avoiding burnout, visit here.
Roxanne M St Clair, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Roxanne is on a mission to empower senior leaders to cultivate high-performing teams that thrive on inclusivity, efficiency, and a deep sense of value. She believes that every individual possesses untapped potential, and by fostering a culture that puts people first can create workplaces where everyone can contribute meaningfully.
Her commitment is to guide organisations in transforming their cultures, instilling trust, understanding, open communication, support, and innovative thinking. Working together with teams to build environments where people flourish, teams excel, and success is measured not just in productivity but in the well-being and fulfilment of each team member. She believes that everyone has value in them, and the key is to identify that value and use it to achieve more.
