Leading by Example: The Critical Role of Leadership in Preventing Burnout in Healthcare
According to the CDC, approximately 50% of healthcare workers reported feelings of burnout in 2023, and 86% of them reported feelings of anxiety and depression. The American Medical Association reported a 4% decline in physicians' feelings of burnout for the first time since the pandemic, at 48.7%. Burnout in healthcare, among many fields, is not new, but are we doing more than just talking about it? In recent years, I have heard countless conversations about the staffing crisis and burnout in healthcare and complaints from leadership about how “no one wants to work anymore.” Has anyone wondered why? Would you want to work in an environment where you feel like you are drowning and no one throws a life vest? I would have been grateful for some floaties at specific points in my career.
In my career, I watched overburdened providers and staff tear up, cry, shut down, or lash out as they reached complete exhaustion and their wit's end and were immediately dismissed. What if that reaction was met with the compassion it deserves, and the employee was provided tools to help them work through it? As a leader, do you prioritize your health and well-being? Leadership plays a crucial role in preventing burnout in healthcare by embodying the values and providing their team with tools to help themselves. Leaders who "walk the walk" set a powerful example for their teams, fostering a culture of well-being, resilience, and support. When leaders demonstrate their commitment to preventing burnout by prioritizing their own well-being and promoting work-life balance, it builds credibility and trust among staff. Employees are more likely to follow suit and engage in self-care practices when they see their leaders doing the same. Leaders shape the organizational culture. They have the choice to either establish a supportive environment that emphasizes mental health and resilience by actively promoting and participating in wellness programs, recognizing signs of burnout, and addressing them proactively, or they can cultivate a toxic environment that leads to burnout in order to boost their profits. I would argue that creating a supportive environment that proactively addresses burnout can boost your bottom line by retaining staff, increasing productivity, and providing better patient care. Extending compassion to your patients is difficult when you cannot feel compassion for yourself.
Leaders who are open about their own challenges and stressors encourage a culture of transparency and open communication. This helps reduce the stigma around mental health issues and makes it easier for staff to seek help when needed. Unfortunately, many leaders lack the resources to support their teams. When I faced burnout, I used podcasts, audiobooks, and took holistic classes to improve my self-care practices and then shared the information with my team. Finding time to research and apply these techniques when dealing with burnout can be challenging since burnout symptoms can take a toll on the body and nervous system. Have you or an employee experienced this? If so, please use the steps below when you are feeling overwhelmed and need a reset:
1. Acknowledge how you are feeling and show yourself compassion. Even superheroes have limits, and everyone must take a moment for themselves. Remember, self-compassion is not a luxury; it's a necessity in the battle against burnout.
2. Close your eyes (or look down) and shift your focus to your breath; slowly inhale to the count of 4 and exhale to the count of 4. Repeat this process until the initial wave of emotion has subsided.
3. Allow your breathing to return to normal. Imagine the sun above you, bathing you in its bright sunlight. Inhale the bright sunlight, then exhale, releasing any tension or stagnant emotions. Continue until you feel your body relax.
4. Slowly open your eyes and shift your focus to the present moment. What is one action you can take to help yourself in this moment?
I studied several types of energy work, and it is incredible how much energy we can store from other people and ourselves in our biofield that heightens our emotions and thoughts. You can start healing burnout by providing yourself and your team with tools they can use to address their mental, physical, and energetic health. Small steps like taking a moment to focus on your breath and reset your energy allow you to focus on the present, resolve what is within your control, release what you cannot, and increase your capacity to heal yourself on a deeper level.