Burnout Isn’t BS—But It’s Not What You Think: Here’s What Leaders Need to Know
Burnout isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a business reality that’s quietly eroding the performance and profitability of professional service firms and law practices nationwide.
In my recent conversation on the Lead the People podcast, we didn’t just talk about burnout as an abstract HR concern; we unpacked why so many high-performing teams and leaders find themselves running on empty, and why the usual “wellness perks” often miss the mark.
With more and more people saying they are burnt out and an increasing number of coaches and consultants throwing stats around to support the claim, more leaders are 1) struggling with what to do, and 2) wondering if this whole burnout thing is a bunch of BS and another way to say “no one wants to work anymore”.
The reality is that full-blown burnout is not as high as some firms are saying it is. But as I say on the episode, burnout is a spectrum, not a switch. And employees are increasingly on the burnout spectrum, costing organizations up to tens of thousands per employee per year in lost productivity, poor health, turnover, and even opening the door to ethical and safety violations, and cybersecurity risks.
What’s especially challenging for CEOs, COOs, and managing partners is the uncertainty:
How do you know if burnout is really taking hold in your firm?
What’s the actual impact on your bottom line, and how can you measure something that often stays hidden behind a veneer of professionalism?
In the episode, I share actionable ways to spot the subtle shifts that signal deeper issues. And why burnout is less about individual weakness and more about systemic misalignments that leaders have the power to address.
If you’re already concerned about burnout, whether for your team or yourself, you don’t have to navigate this alone. I invite you to listen to the episode for fresh insights, but if you’re ready to get clarity and explore tailored solutions, let’s talk. Book a complimentary consultation with me, and together we’ll start to unpack what’s going on in your organization, quantify the impact, and see if I’m the right partner to help you restore sustainable high performance.