Leadership Behavior and Burnout

1. Leadership Behavior and Burnout HOW TO BEAT THE COWERING INFERNO

2. Burnout and the HPERS Teacher • *In your first year there was energy to overcome it By your fifth year You pace yourself To avoid it As an old “pro” you thrive in spite of it

3. BURNOUT • Responsible for: • A. Loss of purpose in the job • B. Destroying self-esteem • C. Resentment • D. Bitterness • E. Poor Performance • F. Critical Behavior • G. Physical Sickness

4. How to avoid Burnout • A. Recognize the contributing factors • and forces behind Burnout • B. Understand its many symptoms and • signs • C. Implement tips for Burnout Recovery • D. Learn how to avoid future bouts with Burnout

5. A. Contributing Factors and Forces • A. Are you being “driven” or are you being called? Those who are being “driven” are prime Candidates as BURNOUT NOMINEES or “BONS”!!

6. BONS are usually Workaholics They try to solve everyone’s Problems and do not delegate anything They can do themselves Nothing can run Forever without proper Maintenance. In the End, the novice leader Runs out of physical And emotional energy

7. BONS are Results-oriented • They are usually impatient • They are focused on other employee’s needs and interests • As it takes time to see results, BONS become weary waiting for success • In their eyes, critical and essential elements of success are obvious to all, BUT, the failure of others to see this obvious thing serves only to frustrate the BONS

8. BONS conclude that the employee’s or administration’s lack of response is due to the BONS’ personal failure The BONS grows tired of waiting for results And admits a failure to perform

9. Nice guys finish last if their energies are constantly being used to light up someone else’s scoreboard • Try not to be bogged down by meaningless • details Ie. “As long as I have the energy, I might as Well do it”!! OR “I might as well do it b/c it Has to be done properly”. At this point a BONS resents any infringement Upon their daily workday.

10. Rookie vs. the Pro • Rookie relies upon young, raw emotion and lack of social responsibilities to push themselves to the limit The Rookie relies upon holidays, summer and yearly breaks to recover for the next semester

11. The Pro has Burnout sneak up on them One year rolls into the next With problems that are never solved; only Re-wrapped and re-presented Goals become less clear; expectations are Unrealistic – they never changed from year To year..the harder the BONS works the more Frustrated they are b/c they never reach Their goals!!!

12. Mediocre programs rob BONS of the positive feedback necessary for a higher level of motivation • Personal zeal invested into pet programs without a sound base of realistic expectation almost assuredly leads to eventual Burnout

13. Over time, novice leaders have been forced to function in a fashion whereby the outcome is already pre-determined. • Because BONS cannot make things happen by adjusting their schedule, they suffer from Burnout’s cousin…apathy.

14. With the inability to control one’s own environment and thus one’s own energy level, most BONS find less than adequate time for their own re-generation. They fail to exercise and ease slowly into inactivity and poor physical condition and health…the very thing they stand against!! Is it any wonder that HPER is on the bottom Rung of the educational ladder and is Continually the laughing stock of education?

15. Signs and Symptoms of Burnout • If you possess a multitude of these characteristics: Decisive, strong-willed, determined Self-sufficient, self-confident Perfectionist, well-organized Goal-oriented and highly competitive …Then you may “tough” it out and go way beyond when the signs and symptoms of Burnout first occurs

16. Signs and Symptoms of Burnout • External signs may appear like irritability, physical fatigue and lack of risk taking BUT…. • Internal Symptoms which are often denied • Include: emotional exhaustion, lack of • Objectivity in decision-making, negative • Mental attitude, loss of courage and personal • Identity and self-worth.

17. The BONS should stop…. • He goes to his office for a late evening or Weekend “just to do a few things” • These efforts leave the BONS further behind • Because work is greatly increased but the • Productivity is the same!! This stimulation leads • To normal day-to-day pressures becoming • Overpowering. …This leads to a “persecution complex” from Which the BONS feels he is being abused..

18. The drudgery of constantly being on-guard, satisfying others’ wishes and an inability to manage time or human resources will eventually lead to physical exhaustion *Pseudo-illness can arise like chest pain, Ulcers, colitis, constipation and blinding headaches

19. Results of Burnout • Drained of both spirit and stamina, the BONS become non-supportive of new or amended activities, procedures and programs. They lose their competitive spirit. • BONS may physically withdraw to places • At school where they can’t be easily located • Or make themselves inaccessible in their own • Office…..

20. Results of Burnout (cont’d) • Problems are not confronted b/c self-confidence and self-worth are disrupted • Staff and department meetings cease, the relationship with workers and peers becomes more autocratic; with the BONS showing less respect for the administration. • Memos replace direct interfacing • Rumors arise and the magic of the relationships with peers and students disappears

21. Tips for Recovery • No amount of “gut-sucking” or positive attitude will lead to recovery. • Use a counselor found in an EAP – Bury the • Pride and develop a double accountability 2. Do not expect a quick recovery – learn to “work smart” instead of “work hard. 3. Do not live in a vacuum – work with loved ones and friendly co-workers

22. 4. Convey to workers that you believe in them. • 5. Learn techniques from counselor how to bring out the best in others • 6. Recovery means it is alright to mess up and make mistakes..problems are opportunities for growth and refinement • 7. Control natural enthusiasm for a slow pace towards permanent change

23. 8. Watch out for preachers! Those who did lend an “ear” to the recovery process are the ones to hold close • 9. Work with only one counselor at a time.

24. Completing the Recovery Process • 1. Separate yourself from the source of the problem: a. Rearrange office duties b. Remove, re-assign or restructure a difficult person c. Change the Work Shift d. Learn to say “no” to other responsibilities e. Manage time..MBWA f. Close the door

25. Completing the Recovery Process g. Upgrade the efficiency of the office h. Learn how to take criticism • Develop the real meaning of the Service • philosophy – “you want it when????”

26. Tips for Recovery • 2. Learn how to Re-create • Quiet place for hiking, biking, fishing, etc • Take light reading material, not work • Make a pact to relax..not problem solve • Do not call the office or “check-in” • No e-mails, fax or cell phones • Avoid reading newspaper or watching TV • Try something different (Hunt shark) • Avoid talking about burnout to others on break

27. Tips for Recovery • 3. Re-establish your self-confidence • Short term goals for satisfaction • Establish new policies with help of peers • Use sick days and personal days

28. Tips for Recovery • 4. Develop a New Purpose for Your Life and Your Job • Learn to “walk before you run” • Take on new responsibilities a slow pace • Don’t maximize the minimals • Resolve old personal conflicts

29. Tips for Recovery • 5. Develop a Self-examination Program • “How far can one be removed from the program before it makes a difference” • Develop tactic that, “Nothing is ever as bad as it first appears to be” • Entertain Feedback • Personal philosophy: You are a steward of all the programs..not the owner!

30. This is your next to last slide!!!!!

31. Bottom Line • Will you take responsibility for your life or will you be a reactionary? • Will you learn that you are not superman or superwoman? You must develop a game plan. • Will you learn to laugh it off? Is it really in your focus of control? • Do you recognize what other people are really all about?

32. Will you realize that your family is the most important thing? • Will you realize that your health is something that cannot be put on hold? • Are you big enough to admit you are having problems and seek intervention? • Will you include your loved ones in your recovery? • Will you include all aspects of Wellness in your recovery?