Your Team's Burnout is Actually About Misalignment

Burnout. It’s a word that’s become almost synonymous with modern work life. We often associate it with working too many hours, taking on too much responsibility, or simply being overwhelmed by the sheer volume of tasks. And while these factors certainly contribute, I’ve found in my work with leaders and teams that burnout isn’t always about doing too much. More often than not, it’s about doing too much that feels disconnected from your values. It’s about misalignment.

As a coach, I see this play out constantly. Individuals and teams push themselves to the brink, believing that sheer effort will lead to success, only to find themselves exhausted, disengaged, and questioning their purpose. The truth is, real recovery from burnout starts by returning to what matters. It’s about leaders creating environments that help people reclaim energy through alignment, clarity, and boundaries. When we operate in sync with our core values, our work becomes a source of energy, not depletion.

The Deeper Roots of Burnout: Beyond the To-Do List

We live in a culture that often glorifies busyness. The longer the hours, the fuller the calendar, the more “important” we must be. But this narrative often masks a deeper issue. If you’re constantly busy but feel a gnawing sense of emptiness or frustration, it’s a strong indicator that something is out of alignment. This isn’t just about individual well-being; it has profound implications for team performance and organizational health.

Consider the impact of a team where individuals are constantly pushing against their internal compass. They might be hitting targets, but at what cost? The energy required to override one’s values or sense of purpose is immense. It leads to cynicism, resentment, and ultimately, a quiet quitting of the spirit long before anyone actually leaves the organization. This is why I emphasize that burnout isn’t merely a personal failing; it’s often a systemic issue rooted in a lack of alignment between individual values, team objectives, and organizational culture.

Reclaiming Energy Through Alignment, Clarity, and Boundaries

So, how do leaders shift this dynamic? It begins with a conscious effort to foster environments where alignment, clarity, and boundaries are not just concepts, but actionable principles.

1. Alignment: Connecting Work to Core Values

True alignment happens when an individual’s personal values resonate with the values and mission of their team and organization. This isn't about forcing conformity, but about helping people see how their unique contributions fit into the larger picture and serve a purpose they genuinely believe in. When there’s a clear connection between daily tasks and deeply held values, work transforms from a chore into a calling. It becomes energizing because it’s an expression of who they are.

Leaders can facilitate this by:

• Articulating a clear vision and mission: Beyond just words on a wall, regularly communicate the 'why' behind the work and how each role contributes to it.

• Encouraging value exploration: Help team members identify their personal core values and discuss how these can be integrated into their work.

• Creating opportunities for meaningful work: Assign projects that leverage individual strengths and passions, allowing people to connect with the intrinsic value of their contributions.

2. Clarity: Eliminating Ambiguity and Fostering Understanding

Ambiguity is a silent killer of energy. When expectations are unclear, roles are undefined, or communication is muddled, people expend enormous amounts of mental energy trying to decipher what’s expected of them. This cognitive load is exhausting and a direct pathway to burnout. Clarity, on the other hand, frees up mental space, allowing individuals to focus their energy on meaningful work.

Leaders can enhance clarity by:

• Defining roles and responsibilities: Ensure everyone knows what they are accountable for and how their role interacts with others.

• Setting clear expectations: Provide specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals.

• Practicing transparent communication: Share information openly, explain decisions, and provide regular, constructive feedback.

3. Boundaries: Protecting Energy and Promoting Well-being

In our always-on world, boundaries often feel like a luxury, but they are a necessity for sustainable energy. Without clear boundaries between work and personal life, and even within work itself, individuals can quickly become depleted. Leaders play a crucial role in modeling and enforcing healthy boundaries, demonstrating that well-being is not just a personal responsibility, but an organizational priority.

Leaders can support healthy boundaries by:

• Modeling healthy habits: Take breaks, disconnect after hours, and encourage your team to do the same.

• Establishing clear communication norms: Define when and how communication is expected (e.g., no emails after 6 PM).

• Respecting personal time: Avoid scheduling meetings outside of core hours and encourage the use of vacation time.

The Mental Fitness Connection: Addressing Inner Saboteurs of Burnout

Just as external factors contribute to misalignment, our internal Saboteurs play a significant role. The Hyper-Achiever might push us to constantly do more, even when it’s against our values. The Pleaser might prevent us from setting boundaries. The Avoider might lead us to procrastinate on difficult but necessary conversations that could bring clarity. Recognizing these internal patterns, as we do in Mental Fitness, is crucial for truly addressing burnout.

When you understand that your inner critic is driving you to exhaustion, you gain the power to choose a different path. You can activate your Sage, the part of your brain that responds to challenges with calm, clear-headed wisdom. This self-awareness is the first step towards realigning with your true self and reclaiming your energy. It’s about building that mental muscle, day by day, to respond to triggers with intention rather than reaction.

Conclusion

Burnout isn’t a badge of honor; it’s a warning light. It signals a deeper issue of misalignment that needs to be addressed at both individual and organizational levels. By focusing on fostering alignment, clarity, and healthy boundaries, leaders can create environments where their teams not only thrive but also find renewed energy and purpose in their work. Remember, real recovery starts by returning to what matters. Feeling misaligned? Reconnect with your purpose and recharge your spirit. Tune into the Healthy Conflict podcast with Rasha Sahen to learn more about navigating difficult conversations and fostering productive relationships. 

Sources and Further Reading

• [1] Maslach, Christina, & Leiter, Michael P. (2016). Burnout and Engagement: The Maslach Burnout Inventory General Survey. In The Handbook of Stress and Health: A Guide to Research and Practice (pp. 185-202). Wiley-Blackwell. https://www.mindgarden.com/312-mbi-general-survey [2] Shirzad Chamine. (2012). Positive Intelligence: Why Only 20% of Teams and Individuals Achieve Their True Potential AND HOW YOU CAN ACHIEVE YOURS. Greenleaf Book Group Press. https://www.positiveintelligence.com/

• Brown, Brené. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. Random House.

• Goleman, Daniel. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. Bantam Books.

• Pfeffer, Jeffrey. (2018). Dying for a Paycheck: How Modern Management Harms Employee Health and Company Performance—and What We Can Do About It. HarperBusiness.