When should a boss step in? What my own burnout taught me about managing others

Recognizing when a boss should step in to help an overworked employee is crucial for workplace well-being. For Joanne Chia, a business founder, the line between burnout and simply being overwhelmed while learning new tasks was blurry. She dreams of Excel sheets and financial reports even after long nights of work, feeling exhausted despite sleeping for seven or eight hours.

Initially, she thought her burnout was due to dealing with Gen Z employees but later realized it was due to the responsibility of managing people and feeling inadequate in her managerial role.

As an employer, Chia knows that it's essential to distinguish between genuine burnout and the discomfort of learning difficult things. When an employee tells her they are overwhelmed, she must ask whether they are being asked too much, given insufficient training, or if they are simply in the adjustment phase of learning something new.

Moreover, Chia has to consider the possibility that her actions might be contributing to the employee's struggle. This is especially relevant when she's the one who assigned the overwhelming task or created the high-pressure situation.

She shares her past experiences, including her initial confusion about burnout, her realization that she was simply inexperienced, and the more serious burnout she faced as a business founder. Despite not having a dramatic breakdown, her burnout manifested as constant mental fatigue, difficulty resting, and an inability to enjoy her work.

Chia emphasizes that recognizing burnout requires careful observation and understanding of the underlying causes, ensuring that employees receive the necessary support to overcome their challenges.