Burnout and How to Avoid it

I often hear from clients looking for ways to boost employee engagement and resilience. But more often than not, their focus is solely on the individual.

From both research and experience, I know this approach isn’t sustainable.

We wish our actions could be completely independent of context. Just stay focused—even if there’s a looming retrenchment. Stay motivated—even if your child is sick at home. Bring your best—even if your boss is constantly critical.

The reality? Our behavior is shaped by both individual factors (like motivation and ability) and environmental ones (like culture, supportive colleagues, and clear leadership).

Read more about our feature on SMU's City Perspectives on how we can create the kind of environment that truly supports engagement and prevents burnout. I hope it sparks fresh thinking and inspires more organizations to adopt a more sustainable approach to employee engagement!