A Tech Leaders Guide To Burnout

As a former tech leader and now an executive coach, I've witnessed the insidious nature of burnout from both sides. It's a silent productivity killer that can derail even the most promising careers and teams. But why do so many of us miss the early warning signs? Let's explore why many of us miss those signs and unintentionally progress into a deeper state of burnout. There are ways leaders can proactively intervene early to help our teams and ourselves avoid going down this path. 

The Stages of Burnout

Researcher Nick Petrie identifies three stages of burnout that technical professionals often experience and the steps to prevent it from worsening.

First Degree: Early warning signs.

Second Degree: Escalating burnout

Third Degree: Severe burnout

First Degree: Early Warning Signs of Burnout

In my days leading a worldwide software engineering organization, I initially missed the early warning signals of impending burnout. For many, including myself, stress is a given in the tech industry's customer-centric, results-driven culture. It wasn't until I found myself constantly overwhelmed from juggling strategy, planning, operational excellence, organizational spreadsheets, stakeholders, people, and the latest unplanned urgent request that I realized I was dealing with signs of burnout. These subtle shifts can easily go unnoticed if we're not vigilant.

Signs to watch for at this stage:

• Irritability, increasing conflicts

• Feeling drained and overwhelmed

• Lack of focus

One of my clients, a CTO at a rapidly growing startup, noticed some of his remote employees becoming increasingly irritable and less productive.  Through a series of intentional actions, he was able to take steps that increased team connection, established team behavioral norms, and created clearer boundaries between work and personal life.  

So, why do so many of us ignore these early signs within ourselves and our teams?

• Lack of awareness: Many of us leading technical teams don't recognize these subtle shifts as burnout. We're often so immersed in our work that we mistake these signs for everyday stress.

• Culture of overwork: In many tech companies, long hours and constant availability are seen as badges of honor. This culture can make recognizing its detrimental effects on our well-being difficult.

• Passion for results: Our enthusiasm for solving complex problems can make it easy to overlook our limits. As one software leader told me, "I was so committed to the product launch that  I didn't realize how emotionally exhausted I had become.”

Second Degree: Escalating Burnout

If burnout is not identified early and progresses, it becomes harder to ignore. I once coached a software development leader whose burnout had shifted her into a state of constant cynicism: "I used to happily bleed for this organization, but now I’m just treading water and doing what I need to do to keep my job."

Signs to watch for at this stage:

• Decreased productivity

• Chronic fatigue

• Loss of enthusiasm, passion

Working with this leader, we developed a plan to focus on what she could control and what she couldn’t; a new role enabled her to shift her focus back into an area where she could make a notable impact. She set clearer boundaries between work and personal life and made additional time for self-care.   Over time, these changes enabled her to rediscover her passion for mentoring junior developers and reignited her love for solving complex technical problems for the company she loved. 

So, why do many push through to this stage before taking action?

• Fear of appearing weak: Many leaders worry that admitting to stress will make them seem incapable. One CIO shared, "I thought if I admitted I was struggling, my team would lose confidence in me."

• Pressure to deliver: In tech, tight deadlines and high customer stakes can make taking a step back impossible. We convince ourselves we'll rest "after this launch" or "once this quarter ends."

• Imposter syndrome: Feelings of inadequacy can drive people to overwork to prove their worth. A talented engineering manager I worked with admitted, "I felt like a fraud, so I worked twice as hard to compensate."

Third Degree: Severe Burnout - A Call for Proactive Leadership

While severe burnout is characterized by chronic absenteeism, complete loss of motivation, and physical and emotional exhaustion, our focus as leaders should be on recognizing and addressing burnout long before it reaches this critical stage.

As tech leaders, we create an environment where burnout is prevented rather than treated. This means being vigilant about the early signs in ourselves and our teams and taking proactive steps to maintain a healthy, productive workplace.

The key is to shift from focusing solely on productivity and to also focus on cultivating positivity. When we prioritize the well-being of our team members, we create the conditions for sustainable high performance. Focusing on positivity improves team productivity.

Here are some ways to foster a positive, burnout-resistant environment:

1. Regular check-ins: Schedule one-on-ones that go beyond project updates to discuss well-being and job satisfaction.

2. Promote work-life balance: Encourage time off and respect boundaries between work and personal time.

3. Foster a culture of openness: Make it safe for team members to express concerns or ask for help.

4. Lead by example: Demonstrate healthy work habits and self-care practices.

5. Celebrate successes: Recognize both big wins and small victories to boost morale.

6. Provide growth opportunities: Offer chances for skill development and career advancement to keep engagement high.

Remember, as leaders, we set the tone. By creating a positive work environment, we not only prevent burnout but also lay the foundation for a high-performing, resilient team.

Are you ready to build more resilient, high-performing teams? 

Let's connect to explore different ways to assess where your team is now and how to move forward. Through personalized coaching, we can develop strategies to build a high-performing team and create a thriving work culture. Together, we can enhance your leadership skills and create an environment where positivity and productivity flourish.