burnout

What is burnout; information and understanding of the experience of burning out

What if your workplace is toxic?

What is a toxic workplace and how will I know if mine is toxic?

The Burnout Queens love to share good articles and this is a good article in Inc.com (Marcel Schwantes) based on solid research out of Harvard.

 

The article titled 5 signs of a toxic workplace that should be stopped immediately (Inc.com magazine), summarises who toxic workers are and what they do that is so counter-productive to the company and their workers.

“much has been written about hiring and developing top performers in the workplace, but less attention has been paid to the effects of toxic workers on their organizations.  [toxic] workers are not low-functioning or low-status employees…[they]are talented and productive….”

Here are this article’s 5 signs of a toxic office.

  1. Gossip is spreading
  2. Morale is at an all-time low
  3. Managers are dictators not leaders
  4. The human touch is lost
  5. Health issues and absenteeism are on the rise

These are just some of the situations our Executive Clients find themselves in, many of them disheartened by their company culture, disillusioned by an absent listening leadership.  Others grapple with questioning whether they should stay or take the opportunity to leave and place themselves in their dream career move. This all leads to low morale and possibly burnout, which has a knock-on effect on many leaders, teams, executives and ultimately erodes the company’s bottom-line.

Read the full article and get really honest with yourselves. Next step? Implement healthy, rather than punitive change. To ignore and keep following the same path is to risk losing your most talented to the competition.

The step after that?  Get in touch (www.livethesolution.com) .  We coach Highly Sensitive Executives in these situations all the time and they learn to thrive.

Email skills up to snuff? Part 3

Here’s the third Email Mistake that makes all of us look unprofessional according to Inc.com.  It’s easy to do when you are bombarded by inbox overload or are squeezed for time. However, this mistake can make the best of us steam with irritation (at least it does me)

Slow response or no response at all.

The Inc article makes it clear that you should acknowledge receiving an email from someone, even if you quickly answer ‘got it’. I am so happy that this is what our VA does each time I send work from the UK to the US. One word from her that it landed in her inbox allows me to just move on knowing the work will be handled.  Bless her she’s a highly sensitive person as well, so she ‘gets’ the importance of replies.

However, (this is a big irritation to me and most HSP’s I know) if I send an email with substantial information, opinion or suggestions in it, if I send a client a personalised visualisation, if I email a colleague with a joint business idea…I want to hear that it was received!!!!!! (notice irritation growing.)

You can double my irritation (and confusion) if a colleague or client wants to book time with me, and I take quick action to reply and offer a time slot (time zones are a challenge when working globally) and then I wait for a no-or-slow response…!  Nothing irks me more than being asked for something, delivering, and then waiting for confirmation! I am left thinking several things.

  1. My email never arrived or is languishing somewhere in the Ethernet.
  2. The request for my time wasn’t that important in the first place (but I am keeping a timeslot open which means it’s still on my mind).
  3. The person is lazy or impolite because they aren’t checking their inbox…hello (either way I’m starting to steam)!
  4. They feel they are too busy and oops, ‘sorry it went to the bottom of my to-do list’.

Regardless of the WHY of no-or-slow replies to emails, the article (and I totally agree) suggests we filter and prioritise our emails and always send a quick reply regardless of restraints…(got it, got this, will reply tomorrow, I’ll get back to you on this asap).

I always use these suggestions and I always appreciate when others do the same. Don’t you?

(hello…are you there)

(hello?)

Hmm, note to self, better check this article reached everybody!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

Check out the other 2 Email Mistakes that Make Us Look Unprofessional.

Email skills up to snuff?

Email skills up to snuff? Part 2

 

Email skills up to snuff? Part 2

Last week I shared my HSP reaction to the first of five mistakes that make you look unprofessional when sending emails. It’s a great Inc.com article we love to share, and you can catch the first blog here: https://theburnoutqueens.com/email-skills-up-to-snuff/

This week I want to share my HSP thoughts on the second of the five mistakes that make you look unprofessional when sending emails.

 

2.  Choosing email instead of private messaging.

If you are an HSP like me, there is nothing worse than getting mounds of emails in your inbox each morning (and throughout the day). It sets my ‘overwhelm button’ into virtual overdrive.

I have to admit I used to be guilty of doing this, but no more. When I get it from others though, I thank my lucky stars I listened to Dr Toby saying “quit while you’re ahead!”

What am I talking about?

This article suggests using a private messaging system or sending a text is the perfect way to send off a one-liner to friends, family and colleagues. Don’t keep sending back replies to emails.

How many times have you sent your final thoughts or suggestions for business in an email and the receiver keeps replying with small little phrases to keep the email conversation alive (did I just hear Dr T’s voice again). There is always someone who keeps the string attached by replying ‘ok’, or ‘you’re welcome…no problem’, or ‘me too’, or just ‘yep’. This creates at least five extra emails returning to my inbox.

I DON’T LIKE CROWDS. This is crazy and annoying. I just want to say ‘enough already’, but that would net me another reply I’m sure…

…’sorry’!

Next time you are about to hit the reply button with a little extra something, you might want to try to eliminate the urge to be the ‘nice-friendly-person.’    I think the receiver will understand (I know I will be relieved).

Number three next week. If you have a comment or agree (and disagree) with me, leave your thoughts below. We love hearing from other HSPs!

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

 

PS:  If you want to read the original article click here https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/5-email-mistakes-that-make-you-look-extremely-unprofessional.html?cid=email

 

 

Email skills up to snuff?

I love reading my Inc.com online alerts.  This one just jumped out at me.  “5 Email Mistakes That Make You Look Extremely Unprofessional”

As a highly sensitive entrepreneur I take great pride in how I write my emails.  Do you?  Well, according to this article you definitely should.  As I read it I had reactions to it (as a highly sensitive entrepreneur of course and a psychologist as well) so here’s my opinion on a great article, starting with the first of Peter’s 5 points.

 

1 Unstructured Criticism:  First I hate the word criticism it’s so unconstructive.  I prefer feedback because people tend to listen when it’s called feedback.  The article says don’t ‘blast negativity at someone through an email’.  Yes, words can appear harsher in print without the tone or facial expressions of the messenger.

For us highly sensitive person biz types, we love ‘seeing and hearing’ face and tone movements and levels.  It gives me much more scope for the meaning of the words and the overall sense of the message I am being given.  This way I definitely know how the messenger feels.   Ho-hum, I know this is not always possible so…

The Inc article suggests delivering your criticism in ‘the compliment sandwich’ way!  This sounds nice, but when I taught communication 101 at university this type of sandwich while nicer didn’t always digest well, particularly when using words like “great job Sue, but….”  I can guarantee that Sue didn’t dwell on the great job part of the message, but she probably ruminated over all the stuff that came after BUT.

(On a psychological note, the truth and reality of a message always comes after the BUT).

The Burnout Queens suggest using kinder words overall.  There is no need to be negative.  Instead, focus on the strength of the person’s skills and encourage them in your feedback to use their strengths to correct themselves and their work.  “Sue I loved the energy and creativity at the beginning of your report.  Is there some way you can end it on that same enthusiastic and creative note?”   Sue may actually shine and be proud of the outcome.

Next post, I’ll give you the HSP scoop on one more Email Mistake in this article.  In the meantime, why not try The Burnout Queens’  Strength Building Feedback Style for the next few days with your colleagues (wink: it works with the kids and yourself as well).

If you’ve been served the compliment sandwich, let us know and what it may you feel like.

Love, The Burnout Queens xx

For the original  Inc.com article click here

 

1 2 3 4 5 … 71

Photography: Caroline True Photography | Illustration by Veronica Miller | Site Design: Kim McDaniels | Disclaimer