HBR Guide to Beating Burnout

by Harvard Business Review

Burnout is rampant. Recognize the signs and make the right changes. The always-on workplace and increasing pressures are leading to a high rate of burnout. Unmanaged, chronic work stress doesn't just lead to lower productivity and negative emotions—it can have dire personal and professional consequences. Are you and your team at risk? The HBR Guide to Beating Burnout provides practical tips and advice to help you, your team, and your organization navigate the perils of burnout and rediscover healthy engagement at work. You'll learn how

Genres: Business, Psychology, Self Help, Nonfiction, Leadership, Audiobook, Management

192 pages, Paperback

First published December 15, 2020

Reviews

[Salam Kabbani · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guide had a lot of solid advice on simple things we can do daily to beat burnout. I felt like some of the advice wasn't 100% realistic depending on what sector an individual works in. Overall I liked the general approach discussed towards preventing burnout.

[Sheila Seiler · Rating 1 out of 5]

Send “20-minute break” calendar invitations for every hour on the hour for your workplace? Not applicable to a 996 work culture, international schools, or the lives of anyone I know.

[William Kelleher · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of decent buzz feed articles that seem to be backed by decent science. Easy reading for a long flight. Good concepts but don't expect it to change your life. More or less a collection of ideas you've already considered (ie self care, talking out issues, managerial structure, fulfillment, work/life balance, getting away from computer screens, taking breaks). One big takeaway I had however was burnout brought on by passion or closeness to one's job (ie doctors, attorney).

[Taylor Ball · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a collection of HBR articles that covered burnout. Individually they were helpful. Together, they were highly repetitive and shared many of the same ideas, stats and solutions. I had read other HBR guides and they were written cohesively by one author. If you’re facing burnout, I wouldn’t recommend starting here

Hard copy

[Alexis Morrell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Downloaded this on Libby after seeing it at an airport bookstore. I have had to deal with Burnout a lot, and this was the perfect outlet for how to think about it, deal with stress and guilt, and definitely something worth reading if you're in the corporate world... Especially middle management. It was interesting to see how different professionals are studying burnout and how to help it, or how to advise people to take matters into their own hands, make decisions and become better managers.

[May Kathryn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A compilation of affirmations

This is very relevant personally, as I have been feeling this way as far as my professional life goes. Glad that there are studies that affirm this phenomenon and that both employer and employee should find ways and means to beat this very cumbersome feeling.

[Sean S · Rating 3 out of 5]

A collection of previously published HBR articles and snippets about the various facets of burnout, from avoidance to management to remedy. Useful for self diagnosis and also for education in avoiding it in your team or sphere of influence.

[Robin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Some really helpful secular advice in bite size chapters. Pastors and church ministers are particularly at risk and this helped me understand why.

[Marco Moutinho · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good overview about this silent sindrome!

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

It confirmed a lot of things I already know but I wish I learned something new.

[Melanie Schramm · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book on burnout from a variety of perspectives. Burnout is a real, systematic problem that allowed me to see it in different light. This book has my gears turning. 🤔⚙️

[Bethany Eppig · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very quick read and brings up interesting topics as well as recommendations on combating burnout

[Jon Barlow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Certainly! Here is a 10-point summary of Harvard Business Review’s 10 Must Reads on Beating Burnout:

1. Recognizing Burnout: The collection defines burnout as a state of emotional, mental, and physical exhaustion caused by prolonged and excessive stress. Key symptoms include fatigue, cynicism, and reduced performance.


2. The Three Dimensions of Burnout: Burnout manifests in three primary dimensions—exhaustion, depersonalization (detachment from work or colleagues), and a sense of reduced accomplishment or effectiveness.


3. Causes of Burnout: Burnout is often rooted in organizational culture and work environments, such as excessive workloads, lack of control, insufficient recognition, poor workplace relationships, and misalignment with personal values.


4. Building Resilience: To combat burnout, resilience is crucial. This involves developing coping skills, maintaining a positive outlook, building strong support networks, and practicing self-care strategies.


5. Balancing Work-Life Demands: Establishing clear boundaries between work and personal life helps reduce burnout risk. This includes setting limits on work hours, prioritizing family and personal time, and disconnecting from work-related tasks.


6. The Role of Purpose: Having a sense of meaning and purpose in one's work is a powerful antidote to burnout. Aligning tasks with personal values and focusing on meaningful goals can reignite engagement and motivation.


7. Management’s Responsibility: The collection emphasizes that employers have a role in preventing burnout by fostering supportive work cultures, offering flexible schedules, encouraging open communication, and providing adequate resources.


8. Reducing Job Strain: Job redesign can alleviate burnout by increasing autonomy, optimizing job demands, fostering collaboration, and giving employees greater control over how they meet their goals.


9. Mindfulness and Stress Reduction: Practices such as meditation, mindfulness exercises, and relaxation techniques can help manage stress, increase awareness, and promote a sense of calm in stressful situations.


10. Recognizing and Supporting Burned-Out Colleagues: Addressing burnout isn’t just a personal journey; it involves recognizing signs of burnout in others, offering support, and creating a culture of care, empathy, and mutual assistance.



This compilation of articles from HBR offers evidence-based strategies and practical solutions for tackling burnout, aiming to create healthier, more balanced work environments and more resilient employees.