How to Spot Burnout Before It Happens—and What to Do About It

Look around and you might sense your team is stretched thin, but it’s tough to pinpoint exactly who’s struggling. Here’s a practical approach to get clarity—and help your theam before burnout takes hold.

Start by Asking the Right Questions

Invite your team to answer these:

1. How overwhelmed do you feel (1–5)?

2. How many days did you work late?

3. How many days did you answer emails after hours?

4. How effective do you feel (1–5)?

5. How productive do you feel (1–5)?

6. How much fun do you have (1–5)?

   
   

Read through the responses. Highlight any words or phrases that keep popping up. Patterns matter—if multiple people mention “exhausted,” “meetings,” or “late nights,” that’s a signal.

Pay special attention to anyone who scores above 3 on the first three questions—they may be on the edge of burnout.

Check In, Don’t Check Out

Next time you meet with your team members, thank them for sharing. Ask about any tough situations they mentioned. Is there something you can do right away? Also, find out what’s going well for them—maybe you can help them focus more on those projects.

Meetings: Friend or Foe?

Let’s be real—meetings can be a double-edged sword. They’re up 13% since the pandemic, and not all are essential. Before you cancel everything, ask:

• Is this meeting truly necessary?

• Could it be shorter or audio-only?

• Who absolutely needs to attend?

Try this: Take one recurring meeting and cut it by 15 minutes. See how your team responds.

Gratitude in Action

Don’t underestimate the power of a thank you. Teams thrive when they feel appreciated. Each week, pick someone and send a quick note—call out something specific they did well. It’s simple, but it works. For example: "I appreciate your insights about the Johnson campaign. Your feedback helped us pivot quickly. Thank you for speaking up."

Burnout isn’t inevitable. With honest check-ins, smarter meetings, and genuine appreciation, you can create a workplace where people feel seen—and supported.

Until next time,