Rina Koshkina is a results-oriented leader and certified executive coach who uses practical tools to help others perform at their best.
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Between the Great Resignation, the constant curveballs presented by the Covid-19 pandemic, the geopolitical uncertainties and the need to adjust to the “future of work,” the typical manager’s job is getting harder. In fact, manager burnout has only gotten worse. Let’s be clear: A manager's job was never easy to begin with, but now, you have to not only lead your team to accomplish goals, maintain strong ethics and culture and develop your team members to their highest potential but you are also required to do so under unprecedented and challenging circumstances. On top of that, you need to do your job while being an empathetic listener and wise coach.
The reality is that a lot of this new pressure is warranted and a long time coming. Some might say what’s the point of being in a leadership role if you can’t rise to the new challenges and adapt to constantly changing tides? But it's important to also note that you're human. Overwhelmed, overstretched, stressed out and disheartened managers are bad news for everyone. Dear managers, here are some strategies to help you thrive:
1. Put on your oxygen mask first.
As the saying goes, if you are running out of air, put on your oxygen mask first before helping others. Acknowledge that you are stressed and overextended, and take your own well-being seriously by practicing active self-care. Self-care can be tailored specifically to your needs and does not have to cost anything. It can mean simply allowing yourself to unplug for as little as a few minutes and getting outdoors.
2. Do some self-reflection and adjust accordingly.
Use self-reflection to help you see the present more clearly and make better decisions about the future. On your own, with a trusted colleague or with a coach, explore some questions such as:
• What are my tendencies when I get stressed?
• To what degree do those tendencies help or hinder my success and my sense of well-being?
• What feedback am I getting from others and how am I addressing that feedback?
• What would I change in my professional circumstances if I were 100 times bolder and unafraid?
3. Learn something new.
Your proverbial plate is already full, and you can’t imagine adding one more thing. I hear you, but what if that one thing could add just the right amount of energy to help you thrive? When things get hard, sometimes we have the tendency to hunker down and make our worlds smaller with the intention to just make it through. Try resisting that urge by following your curiosity and boldly pursuing new interests—especially if they seem slightly (or wildly) far-fetched.
4. Unlearn something old.
Yes, you may have always done it that way. But a different approach may be worth a try. Put the concept of a growth mindset to the test, and see how it may help you grow and unlearn some old routines that no longer serve you. Things are always changing—the circumstances and context around us, as well as our own understanding of things—thus, it is useful to remember that we don’t have to be “stuck” in our old ways of thinking, doing and being.
5. Connect with others on a human level.
Sometimes managers may feel that their job is nearly impossible to do, that they are asked to do the impossible. The good news is that you as a manager don’t need to be superhuman—just be a human. It sounds counterintuitive, but research shows that compassion toward others actually reduces personal burnout.. Turn your attention toward others, and look to psychology for insight on how to lead with compassion and humanity. You have a lot of valuable experience and have learned a thing or two along the way. As challenging as your role may feel to you right now, it may be even more daunting for newer, less seasoned managers—consider mentoring them. You can start by reflecting (and even writing down) what you’d say to your younger, less experienced self.
6. Ask for help.
Once you have an opportunity to adjust your self-care routine and self-reflect on how you operate in the world and how you impact others, consider asking for help. Could you proactively delegate some of your responsibilities (and resist the urge to micromanage your team members in the process)? What about scheduling an in-depth career discussion with your manager or a mentor, or joining a group of like-minded leaders who are willing to be honest about their own challenges and triumphs? Maybe it's time to carve out an hour or two to immerse yourself in something outside of work? What about getting a professional coach to help you work on performance, self-esteem or behavior changes? Yes, it is hard to ask for help, but it could be life-changing if you allow yourself to receive it.
While this article is about how managers can help themselves, stress and burnout need to also be viewed as structural and organizational problems. Managers have an opportunity to shape their organizations for the better and accelerate positive change. How can you use your influence to move the organization in a different direction? As a manager, what changes can you make within your own team that would lead to not only better business outcomes but also to a healthier, more engaging environment for those around you? Being a manager isn’t easy. It can be especially challenging in times of change and uncertainty. But there are ways to strengthen your leadership muscle and make it a rewarding, even life-affirming, experience for yourself and others.
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