24 Apr
PeopleTek Coaching Blog

Control Burn Out

We’re guessing that most of us have either experienced feelings of burnout at work and/or have observed it in others.

We’ll start by sharing a definition provided by Dr. David Ballard of The American Psychological Association:

Burn-out is an extended period of time where someone experiences exhaustion and a lack of interest in things, resulting in a decline in their job performance.

During times of change and uncertainty, and the associated demands, burnout is being experienced in greater volumes because of our inability to manage the stressors.

Signs of Burnout in an Organization

Before you can try to control burn out, you must first recognize what it looks like. Across the organization, are you seeing (or experiencing) these signs of burnout:

  • Mental fatigue
  • Role ambiguity or role conflict
  • Unusual demands
  • Stressful situations
  • Work and output overload/underload
  • Unpredictable behaviors
  • Productivity issues related to job security
  • Lack of or inappropriate communication
  • Withdrawal

We have the need to feel good about ourselves, be proud of the value we provide, and of our accomplishments. We have a natural drive to “achieve,” and in general, confidence levels suffer when we don’t meet our own expectations. We’re our own harshest critic!

You are most vulnerable to burnout when the stresses you experience impact negatively on the things that you find most fulfilling in your job. Not only do you experience the unpleasantness of stress, you lose the job satisfaction that counter-balances this.
–MindTools on Stress Management

Helpful Burn0ut Coping Suggestions

Identify what is causing the burnout and address it. Positively attacking and solving problems, creating solutions, and implementing change will help.

Focus on your demeanor; don’t deny or ignore your negative feelings. It’s okay to share both negative and positive feelings in a professional manner. Everything is not always sunny.

Build relationships and create a network; get a mentor. Share feelings and work with others to create positive energy.

Be flexible; plan for, and expect change. Be genuine, and be open to changing your behaviors that address and minimize burn-out. The result: productivity and happiness levels will improve.

Don’t ignore what you’re feeling; take control!

Here’s a Wealth of Information

Each week we’ll partner with QwikCoach and provide the ability for you to reinforce or expand your knowledge of a prior topic.

Last week’s tip focused on Confidence and Competence.

Go to QwikTips to read more! There are two different versions–one for visitors and one for licensed QwikCoach users.

Help turn your leadership knowledge into leadership action!

17 Apr
PeopleTek Coaching Leadership

Are You Confident and Competent?

We recently attended a graduation event for Leadership Journey attendees and a common outcome among graduates was a stronger sense of confidence, enhanced awareness levels, and sharpened skills.

We gain strength, and courage, and confidence by each experience in which we really stop to look fear in the face… we must do that which we think we cannot.
–Eleanor Roosevelt

The Confidence Code

Coincidentally, this week Good Morning America featured a book: The Confidence Code by Claire Shipman and Katty Kay. Their findings reflect a large disparity of confidence levels between men and women. (Yet another gender difference in the workplace!)

One of the most positive results of the studies reflected that we can increase our confidence level at any age.

More interesting findings:

  • Women won’t seek promotions unless they feel they have close to 100 percent of the qualifications, while men will go for it if they think they have 60 percent.
  • After men and women were given the same test, and then asked how they believed they did, women always predicted they performed worse than they did. Men on the other hand tended to think they had done better.
  • Researchers found that women spoke up 75 percent less than males (in the workplace).

The 5 Biggest Mistakes Women Make

  1. Thinking too much – Excessive examination which inhibits confidence, delays taking action, and sometimes even prevents decision making
  2. Belief that failure is a failure – There’s a need for more willingness to try new things/approaches, and a need to understand not everything goes as planned. Make adjustments and learn from the failures!
  3. Carry criticism around – There’s a need to toughen up and move on
  4. Inability to leave comfort zone – Confidence comes from risk-taking, women are too determined to be perfect
  5. Not speaking up, or using “up-speak” – Raising the tone of voice at the end of a sentence in a way that sounds more like a question than a declaration

Regardless of gender, we all have the opportunity to increase our confidence levels, and our competency skills. It’s time to take control!

Here’s a Wealth of Information

Each week we’ll partner with QwikCoach and provide the ability for you to reinforce or expand your knowledge of a prior topic.

Last week’s tip focused on Leadership Tools.

Go to QwikTips to read more! There are two different versions–one for visitors and one for licensed QwikCoach users.

Help turn your leadership knowledge into leadership action!

10 Apr
PeopleTek Coaching Leadership

Leadership Tools

As leaders, it’s up to us to keep our skills, abilities and talents sharp, and it’s also up to us to find and use the leadership tools that will enable us to maximize our potential.

We shall neither fail nor falter; we shall not weaken or tire. Give us the tools and we will finish the job.
–Winston Churchill

PeopleTek created a tool, the Leadership Compass, that provides direction for being a successful and effective leader. The COMPASS is based on a combination of skills, traits, behaviors and talents we’ve observed over the years, along with the JoHari Window. (The JoHari Window was created by Joseph Luft and Harry Ingham in 1955 in the United States and helps individuals better understand their relationship with self and others.)

Willingness to Self-Reflect & A Strong Sense of Self-Awareness

Leadership is comprised of many components, and these are two of the most important. Are you prepared to respond to the following questions?

  1. Where are you going? (vision, mission, goals)
  2. How do you plan on getting there? (innovation, strategy, planning)
  3. How could others assist and support you? (people)
  4. What may get in your way? (barriers, weaknesses and the over-use of strengths)

By utilizing the COMPASS, you will be directed towards actions that will take your leadership, and ultimately your career, on a “journey of discovery.”

PeopleTek’s Leadership COMPASS components are:

  • C – Clarity and Communication
  • O – Optimize Differences
  • M – Manage Change
  • P – Plan, Persist, and Organize
  • A – Appropriately Handle Conflict
  • S – Sustain/Enhance Relationships
  • S – Skillfully Influence Others

What changes could you make to become an even more effective leader?

Here’s a Wealth of Information

Each week we’ll partner with QwikCoach and provide the ability for you to reinforce or expand your knowledge of a prior topic.

Last week’s tip focused on Gender in Leadership.

Go to QwikTips to read more! There are two different versions–one for visitors and one for licensed QwikCoach users.

Help turn your leadership knowledge into leadership action!