Pssst…Can We Talk About Our Overwhelm?
My clients and colleagues say it’s hard to admit to others and to ourselves when we feel overwhelmed by work or burned out. Often, we see these feelings as a sign of weakness, as if we’re not cut out for a high-level position; this is especially true for social sector executives. Some talk about feeling like imposters only pretending to be good at what they do. On the flip side, we might proudly wear our chronic stress and exhaustion as a badge of honor, one that demonstrates our commitment to the mission as well as proof that we are doing our utmost to succeed in a demanding role.
Either way, acknowledging that we regularly lose sleep and suffer other stress-related symptoms carries stigma and often tangible risk. Both prevent us from conceding we need help and seeking it. With burnout on the rise throughout the social sector, we’re at the point where we must figure this out together. If we don’t, too many of us will keep up the superhero image—until hitting a wall physically or mentally. We face the threat of losing highly qualified nonprofit and philanthropic professionals at a time we can least afford it.
Where to Start
Our boards and executives can begin to shift organizational culture by taking the following steps:
Review your own work, rest and lifestyle habits and attitudes, modify behaviors as needed and model self-care to the rest of the organization (change starts at the top);
Analyze policies, practices and unwritten norms to shift the culture away from toxic stress and overwork toward a workplace that promotes wellbeing (which research has shown increases productivity);
Check-in regularly with staff to monitor how sustainable each person’s workload is, how well they’re balancing work with other life challenges and what elements of their job are most difficult and be sure to encourage them to ask for help without any risk of reprisal;
Open a dialogue with the entire staff and listen to suggestions for improving workplace conditions—be sure to follow-through with commitments; and
Consider such structural changes as a four-day work week to facilitate more downtime (see a guide to implementing a 4-day work week in Resources below).
We Are Not Superheroes
Despite what we may have been taught, we all require time away from work to restore and refresh our bodies, minds and spirits. I was raised by a family that valued hard work, productivity and self-sacrifice, above all else. Many of us swim in a culture of such white-dominant values without a complete picture of their negative consequences. The reality is that we are not super-human and we need to rest more. In what ways does this resonate with you?