In my conversations with leaders a recurring theme is how you can create a sustainable high performance culture. I have previously shared a great read from HBR: “To Build A Top Performing Team, Ask for 85% Effort”. In this article, Greg McKeown outlines how operating at maximum effort all the time can lead to burnout and ultimately suboptimal results.
It will be hard to find an organization that does not offer wellbeing programs and wellness benefits. Whilst these are set up with the best intentions to promote employee wellbeing and combat burnout, many research reports show that burn-out levels are at an all time high. Why?
Of course, there are many different aspects to consider. I have been wondering though why most wellbeing programs focus on things that employees have some level control over, whilst the causes for burnout are often outside of their control. Most drivers of burnout are systemic and show an imbalance of work and resources. How jobs are designed, the way work is structured, the level of autonomy and flexibility that employees have and management capability in the organisation. In my work, I help organisations shift these systemic issues and design modern work practices that fuel both high performance and wellbeing.
Greg McKeown proposes a counterintuitive concept called the 85% rule. In his article he outlines how operating at maximum effort all the time can lead to burnout and ultimately suboptimal results. He shares practical steps that leaders can take, from promoting pro-active rest, asking your team questions like “How am I making your work more stressful than it needs to be?” and encouraging 85% right decisions.
What are you currently doing to address burnout in your organisation? I would love to hear your thoughts.
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