Understanding Burnout

Burnout isn’t just stress or being overwhelmed. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines it as a workplace issue caused by chronic, unmanaged stress.

According to Dr. Christina Maslach, a leading researcher on burnout, it has three core dimensions:

Exhaustion – feeling mentally and physically drained
Cynicism – becoming detached or chronically negative about work or colleagues
Inefficacy – doubting your competence or effectiveness

Burnout leaves people depleted, checked out, and questioning their impact. It’s often the result of systemic issues like overwhelming workloads, lack of support, blurred boundaries, or misalignment between values and work.

Burnout by the Numbers

Burnout is widespread — you are not alone:

77% of employees report experiencing burnout at work according to Deloitte's 2023 Workplace Burnout Survey.
60% are seriously considering leaving their job to better support their well-being.
46% of Gen Zs and 39% of millennials report feeling stressed most or all of the time (Deloitte 2023 Gen Z & Millennial Survey).
Certain industries face even higher rates of burnout — healthcare workers report burnout exceeding 50%, while hospitality and food service employees report rates over 80%.

These numbers are alarming and show that burnout is a systemic issue, not a personal failing.

Burnout at the Top: Why Senior Leaders are at Risk

Burnout doesn’t only impact employees — it’s increasingly hitting CEOs and executives.

82% of CEOs experience exhaustion indicative of burnout, and 96% report a decline in their mental health (Deloitte).
In 2024, 2,221 U.S. CEOs stepped down — a 16% increase
Average tenure of CEO's at Fortune companies dropped from six to five years (McKinsey, 2025).
56% of executives now report burnout (up from 52% in 2023), with healthcare executives at 74%.

What the Research Says

McKinsey’s research shows that leadership fatigue — the deep exhaustion CEOs and top leaders face — can be alleviated through self-awareness, reflection, and human-centered skills. Leaders who pause for introspection strengthen empathy, adaptability, and resilience. Daily micro-practices such as mindfulness, reflection, and intentional pauses reinforce purpose, focus, and balance. Organizations that embrace these human-centered leadership practices are 1.5x more likely to sustain high performance.

Daily micro-practices can make a difference — and real solutions require workplace change. According to Maslach and Leiter (The Burnout Challenge, 2022), effective strategies include:

Balance workload and expectations
Foster autonomy, trust, recognition, fairness & equity
Align work with values and purpose

Take Small Steps Toward Balance

For Organizations

You may not know where to begin but you want to turn things around and have a healthy, thriving organization again — That’s where I come in. I can help you identify what is causing burnout in your organization and together we can create strategies for lasting change, leading to resilient employees, a stronger culture, and successful outcomes.

For Individuals

You may not be able to change your work environment overnight — but you can take steps to bring more balance, resilience, and well-being into your life. That’s where I come in.

3 Signs You're Burning Out

You're Exhausted! You feel drained, depleted, and unable to recharge no matter what you try.
You're Inner Cynic is Showing Up – More often than not, you feel detached, negative, or resentful about work and you're having a hard time trusting others.
You Feel Unsuccessful – You've begun to doubt your competence or you feel like you’re no longer effective in your role

If these feel familiar, it’s not about personal weakness — it’s a sign that your work environment needs a change.

Even if you can’t change the whole system, you can take small, mindful steps that ripple outward—bringing more balance, clarity, and resilience into your work and life. Let me be your guide.

Page References

MINDFUL LEADERSHIP COACHING & CONSULTING