WEBVTT 1 00:00:18.585 --> 00:00:20.645 Hey, it's Rachel Cook, your Modern mentor. 2 00:00:21.225 --> 00:00:22.845 I'm the founder of Lead Above Noise, 3 00:00:23.135 --> 00:00:26.485 where we help leaders in teams drive strong performance 4 00:00:26.735 --> 00:00:30.205 while also preserving humanity in sustainable ways. 5 00:00:31.065 --> 00:00:34.605 And today I'm closing out my four-part series on 6 00:00:34.905 --> 00:00:36.565 how we can combat burnout 7 00:00:37.115 --> 00:00:39.565 without dialing back the volume on our work. 8 00:00:40.105 --> 00:00:42.805 And if your team or organization could use some extra 9 00:00:42.805 --> 00:00:44.485 support, a boost of insight 10 00:00:44.505 --> 00:00:49.005 and action, head over to lead above noise.com/burnout. 11 00:00:49.425 --> 00:00:50.845 You'll find ways to work with me 12 00:00:50.945 --> 00:00:52.245 and some extra resources 13 00:00:52.245 --> 00:00:54.445 to help you DIY this, if that's your preference. 14 00:00:55.325 --> 00:00:58.795 I hope something in this series has left you feeling a 15 00:00:58.795 --> 00:01:00.275 little more grounded and clear 16 00:01:00.455 --> 00:01:02.435 and maybe capable of creating change 17 00:01:02.815 --> 00:01:04.235 for yourself and your team. 18 00:01:05.255 --> 00:01:07.595 So far, we've expanded our definition of burnout 19 00:01:08.015 --> 00:01:10.075 as more than a problem of too much work. 20 00:01:10.525 --> 00:01:13.075 We've looked at how it can be about having too much work, 21 00:01:13.575 --> 00:01:17.195 but it can also be about feeling bored like we're not 22 00:01:17.315 --> 00:01:20.315 learning or being challenged, or it can come from loneliness 23 00:01:20.315 --> 00:01:22.715 and disconnection, or from having to wade 24 00:01:22.715 --> 00:01:25.035 through bureaucracy and meetings that go nowhere. 25 00:01:25.455 --> 00:01:29.465 And on and on. We have talked about the impossible weight 26 00:01:29.615 --> 00:01:31.705 that some managers in particular are carrying 27 00:01:32.285 --> 00:01:35.425 and how they can lighten their loads just by letting go 28 00:01:35.425 --> 00:01:39.025 of some assumptions that aren't serving anyone like that. 29 00:01:39.025 --> 00:01:40.705 It's their job to keep everyone happy 30 00:01:40.885 --> 00:01:42.145 or always have the answers. 31 00:01:43.245 --> 00:01:46.145 And then we talked about how to start to create action 32 00:01:46.765 --> 00:01:49.305 to drive change, not through long-term plans, 33 00:01:49.325 --> 00:01:53.475 but through targeted choices, like finding one way 34 00:01:53.495 --> 00:01:54.715 to connect with one person 35 00:01:55.295 --> 00:01:58.115 or to opt out of one meeting that you're not adding value to 36 00:01:58.775 --> 00:02:01.235 or to incorporate learning into the flow of work. 37 00:02:01.685 --> 00:02:03.595 These are all potential starting places. 38 00:02:04.415 --> 00:02:07.315 And now we're gonna talk about how to keep this going 39 00:02:07.625 --> 00:02:10.395 because this work doesn't end after one reset 40 00:02:10.455 --> 00:02:11.995 or one round of applause. 41 00:02:12.655 --> 00:02:14.875 It takes consistency and persistence 42 00:02:14.975 --> 00:02:17.155 and a willingness to fail along the way. 43 00:02:17.975 --> 00:02:21.075 The antidote to burnout isn't a single wellness initiative. 44 00:02:21.705 --> 00:02:24.035 It's building a system one block at a 45 00:02:24.035 --> 00:02:25.115 time that actually works. 46 00:02:25.655 --> 00:02:28.515 One where time and energy are protected, where clarity 47 00:02:28.575 --> 00:02:31.155 and connection are prioritized, where purpose 48 00:02:31.175 --> 00:02:33.315 and learning matter, and they happen 49 00:02:33.315 --> 00:02:36.115 through small experiments that slowly start to stick. 50 00:02:36.855 --> 00:02:39.715 So let's talk about what that really looks like in practice. 51 00:02:40.615 --> 00:02:43.635 We start with experiments not overhauls. 52 00:02:44.255 --> 00:02:46.995 It begins with a mindset shift from perfection 53 00:02:46.995 --> 00:02:50.235 to experimentation, from overhaul to iteration. 54 00:02:51.185 --> 00:02:54.875 Instead of chasing the one perfect solution, try asking, 55 00:02:55.215 --> 00:02:57.115 what's one thing we could try this week 56 00:02:57.385 --> 00:03:01.045 that might make the work feel a little lighter or clearer? 57 00:03:01.955 --> 00:03:04.135 And from there, build a practice of noticing. 58 00:03:04.755 --> 00:03:07.855 Ask your team, what's one thing we're still pretending is 59 00:03:07.855 --> 00:03:09.335 working even though we know it's not? 60 00:03:09.955 --> 00:03:12.575 Or what's one place where we're holding a burden alone 61 00:03:12.795 --> 00:03:14.975 and we could be asking for help from another team? 62 00:03:15.875 --> 00:03:18.295 Or what's one small moment in the past week 63 00:03:18.485 --> 00:03:19.775 that made the work feel better? 64 00:03:20.235 --> 00:03:22.535 And how can we repeat it and build upon it? 65 00:03:22.985 --> 00:03:25.375 These questions are designed to spark insight, 66 00:03:25.375 --> 00:03:27.535 which in turn help drive action. 67 00:03:32.025 --> 00:03:34.195 Next, we wanna make sure we're celebrating 68 00:03:34.205 --> 00:03:35.395 small wins out loud. 69 00:03:35.785 --> 00:03:39.635 Because when action happens, even tiny action, it needs 70 00:03:39.635 --> 00:03:41.315 to be seen and celebrated. 71 00:03:42.475 --> 00:03:46.575 If your goal is zero unnecessary meetings, don't wait 72 00:03:46.575 --> 00:03:49.495 until you've eliminated every single excess meeting 73 00:03:49.595 --> 00:03:50.615 before you celebrate. 74 00:03:51.135 --> 00:03:52.905 Celebrate the one you canceled this week 75 00:03:53.295 --> 00:03:55.265 that earns somebody 30 minutes back 76 00:03:55.735 --> 00:03:58.745 that created a little bit more space for someone to think 77 00:03:58.925 --> 00:04:00.025 or breathe or focus. 78 00:04:00.845 --> 00:04:03.625 If your goal is true strategic collaboration, 79 00:04:04.135 --> 00:04:05.465 celebrate the one project 80 00:04:05.555 --> 00:04:07.865 where the right voices got included from the start. 81 00:04:08.615 --> 00:04:10.985 Name the win, because celebration is fuel. 82 00:04:11.365 --> 00:04:13.825 It makes us feel good, and it makes us want to keep going. 83 00:04:14.805 --> 00:04:17.585 So look for progress before you look for finish lines. 84 00:04:18.855 --> 00:04:21.185 Next, share and multiply what works. 85 00:04:21.895 --> 00:04:23.705 This is how progress compounds 86 00:04:24.285 --> 00:04:27.305 if every manager on your team tries one experiment per 87 00:04:27.305 --> 00:04:30.265 quarter, and then at the end of that quarter everyone shares 88 00:04:30.265 --> 00:04:32.385 what worked for them, what didn't, and what they learned. 89 00:04:33.005 --> 00:04:34.425 The impact multiplies. 90 00:04:35.095 --> 00:04:38.105 It's no longer one person trying something in isolation. 91 00:04:38.605 --> 00:04:41.505 It becomes a collective shift, a force multiplier. 92 00:04:41.805 --> 00:04:43.025 You can even formalize it. 93 00:04:43.365 --> 00:04:46.665 One experiment, one quarter, one circle to share and learn. 94 00:04:47.045 --> 00:04:49.785 And over time, this becomes not a one-time fix, 95 00:04:49.845 --> 00:04:51.025 but a team habit. 96 00:04:52.925 --> 00:04:55.775 Next, make sure you involve your team in the change. 97 00:04:56.805 --> 00:04:58.535 This is not a top-down job. 98 00:04:58.915 --> 00:05:01.455 If you are trying to build a culture that protects energy 99 00:05:01.515 --> 00:05:02.615 and cultivates clarity, 100 00:05:03.155 --> 00:05:05.375 the people actually doing the work need 101 00:05:05.375 --> 00:05:06.895 to help shape how that happens. 102 00:05:07.635 --> 00:05:10.815 So ask your team, what would help them feel more focused, 103 00:05:11.125 --> 00:05:12.975 more trusted, more connected? 104 00:05:13.515 --> 00:05:16.175 Invite them to identify small points of friction 105 00:05:16.595 --> 00:05:18.455 and then ask, what's burning you out? 106 00:05:19.155 --> 00:05:21.535 Not to vent, but to help co-create solutions. 107 00:05:22.035 --> 00:05:24.815 And when someone has an idea, let them test it. 108 00:05:25.165 --> 00:05:27.815 Empower your team members to run their own experiments 109 00:05:28.195 --> 00:05:30.655 to lead the change, not just wait for it. 110 00:05:31.005 --> 00:05:33.215 Because the best solutions come from the people 111 00:05:33.275 --> 00:05:34.535 who are closest to the work. 112 00:05:34.995 --> 00:05:37.615 And when you give those people the freedom to test new ways 113 00:05:37.615 --> 00:05:39.455 of working, they start to believe 114 00:05:39.455 --> 00:05:41.335 that change is not only possible, 115 00:05:41.395 --> 00:05:43.055 but it's actually theirs to drive. 116 00:05:44.235 --> 00:05:46.445 Next, let failure be part of the process. 117 00:05:47.515 --> 00:05:50.445 Some experiments will fail, and that's okay. 118 00:05:51.345 --> 00:05:54.165 One of the most powerful things you can do is normalize 119 00:05:54.165 --> 00:05:56.085 failure, not as something to fix, 120 00:05:56.225 --> 00:05:57.645 but as something to learn from. 121 00:05:58.425 --> 00:05:59.805 If you tried a new meeting format 122 00:05:59.905 --> 00:06:01.605 and it flopped, talk about it. 123 00:06:02.065 --> 00:06:04.165 If you loosened a process and things got messy, 124 00:06:04.595 --> 00:06:06.165 reflect on what you would do differently. 125 00:06:06.195 --> 00:06:09.205 Next time. When people see that failure doesn't lead 126 00:06:09.205 --> 00:06:11.925 to shame or retraction, they're more willing to try again, 127 00:06:12.345 --> 00:06:14.165 and this is where real growth happens. 128 00:06:15.435 --> 00:06:18.535 And finally, build the practice. Create the pattern. 129 00:06:19.155 --> 00:06:22.215 If you're looking for a roadmap out of burnout, here it is. 130 00:06:22.675 --> 00:06:24.775 It is not a perfect plan. It's a rhythm. 131 00:06:25.785 --> 00:06:28.415 Start with one change. Celebrate it out loud. 132 00:06:28.785 --> 00:06:30.775 Share what you're learning. Engage your team. 133 00:06:31.205 --> 00:06:33.455 Embrace the flops and keep moving. 134 00:06:34.465 --> 00:06:36.295 Maybe you start a shared doc 135 00:06:36.475 --> 00:06:38.735 or a channel where your team logs, what's working, 136 00:06:39.285 --> 00:06:41.055 what you're testing, what you're changing. 137 00:06:41.755 --> 00:06:43.415 Not to report or to prove anything, 138 00:06:43.475 --> 00:06:45.575 but to just make the momentum really visible. 139 00:06:46.345 --> 00:06:49.055 Maybe you close each quarter by asking, what did we try? 140 00:06:49.325 --> 00:06:50.855 What got better and what's next? 141 00:06:52.065 --> 00:06:54.575 Maybe you stop asking What will fix this? 142 00:06:54.715 --> 00:06:57.255 And start asking, what can we shift today? 143 00:06:58.235 --> 00:06:59.485 Challenge doesn't happen 144 00:06:59.485 --> 00:07:01.045 because we found the perfect strategy. 145 00:07:01.625 --> 00:07:04.645 It happens because we paid attention and we stayed in motion 146 00:07:05.035 --> 00:07:06.125 because we decided 147 00:07:06.125 --> 00:07:08.325 that doing better was worth trying again and again. 148 00:07:09.465 --> 00:07:12.165 So no, you don't have to fix everything this week, 149 00:07:12.585 --> 00:07:15.285 but you can stop pretending that burnout will fix itself 150 00:07:15.825 --> 00:07:18.085 or worse that it's unsolvable. 151 00:07:18.905 --> 00:07:21.205 And if you wanna help build this rhythm in your team 152 00:07:21.345 --> 00:07:24.325 or across your organization, I'd love to support you. 153 00:07:24.825 --> 00:07:28.245 You can find me@leadabovenoise.com slash burnout. 154 00:07:28.515 --> 00:07:30.445 Whether it's a workshop, a keynote, 155 00:07:30.705 --> 00:07:34.125 or a manager series, we build the muscle of sustainable, 156 00:07:34.125 --> 00:07:36.125 meaningful change without adding 157 00:07:36.125 --> 00:07:37.205 to your burnout in the process. 158 00:07:37.975 --> 00:07:40.125 Thank you so much for being here for this series. 159 00:07:40.545 --> 00:07:42.765 If even one episode sparked something for you 160 00:07:43.195 --> 00:07:45.725 that is momentum, and I hope you'll keep building on it, 161 00:07:46.665 --> 00:07:48.765 and that you'll shoot me a note at 162 00:07:48.765 --> 00:07:51.525 rachel@leadabovenoise.com just to let me know. 163 00:07:52.235 --> 00:07:53.805 Join me next week for another great 164 00:07:53.805 --> 00:07:55.005 episode of Modern Mentor. 165 00:07:55.575 --> 00:07:57.765 Until then, visit lead above noise.com 166 00:07:58.065 --> 00:08:00.405 for more about the work I do and ways I can help. 167 00:08:01.305 --> 00:08:03.645 You can follow Modern Mentor on Apple Podcasts, 168 00:08:03.645 --> 00:08:05.245 Spotify, or wherever you listen. 169 00:08:05.865 --> 00:08:08.685 Thanks so much for listening and have a successful week. 170 00:08:08.985 --> 00:08:11.245 Modern Mentor is a quick and Dirty Tips podcast. 171 00:08:11.835 --> 00:08:13.845 It's audio engineered by Dan Rabbet. 172 00:08:14.265 --> 00:08:16.485 Our director of podcasts is Holly Hutchings. 173 00:08:16.785 --> 00:08:19.565 Our podcast and advertising operations specialist is Morgan 174 00:08:19.635 --> 00:08:22.485 Christensen, and our marketing contractor is Nathaniel 175 00:08:22.485 --> 00:08:22.645 Hoops.