Does Your Leadership Style Burn Your Team Out?

Happy Sunday, Leaders!

Understanding the intricate link between leadership styles and burnout is pivotal to creating a healthy work environment. As leaders, your approach impacts team dynamics, job satisfaction, and overall well-being. 

Here are three common leadership styles to consider and simple questions to see where you fall.

1. Authoritarian Leadership

You're the lone decision-maker all the time. While decisiveness is crucial, excessive control can contribute to burnout. Striking a balance between authority and team input is essential. While swift decision-making is an asset, an authoritarian stance risks stifling creativity and innovation. 

If you answer yes to any of the questions below, it's time to act.

1. Do you often make decisions without seeking input from your team?
2. Is there limited collaboration in your decision-making process?
3. Do team members seem hesitant to share ideas or feedback?

Does any of these apply to you? 

If so, opt for a collaborative approach that combines your decisive nature with team input. 

• You can establish regular team meetings where each member has the opportunity to contribute ideas.
  • This not only broadens perspectives but also makes everyone feel valued.
• Schedule sessions dedicated explicitly to decision-making.
  • These collaborative workshops can be platforms for brainstorming, evaluating options, and collectively deciding the best action.

2. Micromanagement

You examine every detail and insist on looking at emails before they go out. Though well-intentioned, micromanagement can overwhelm the team and burn them out.  

Here are some signs that you might be a micromanager:

1. Do you need to review and approve every task your team undertakes?
2. Has there been feedback about a lack of autonomy within your team?
3. Are team members often seeking permission for routine tasks?

 How do you fix it? Start small. 

• Gradually delegate tasks to team members. 
  • Start with smaller responsibilities and progressively entrust them with more significant roles as trust builds.
• Clearly define objectives and expected outcomes.
  • When team members understand the desired results, they can navigate tasks more independently. 

 3. Transactional Leadership

 Prioritizing tasks is vital, but an exclusive focus on transactions may lead to a sense of detachment. 

 Ask yourself: 

1. Is your primary focus on completing tasks and achieving goals?
2. Are signs of low morale or disengagement evident in your team?
3. Do you find it challenging to connect with team members personally?

 How can you be better?

•  Schedule regular one-on-one meetings with each team member.
  • This dedicated time allows for open conversations about their goals, challenges, and aspirations.

Inject empathy into your leadership style, demonstrating a genuine interest in your team's well-being.

In the complex interplay between leadership and employee well-being, your management style emerges as a pivotal factor influencing workplace dynamics and, inevitably, burnout risks.

Reflect on how these strengths affect your leadership style and make changes if needed.

That’s all for this week. 

Always wishing you the best,

Dr. Beckford

P.S. Whenever you’re ready, here are two ways I can help:

1.Hire me to speak about wellness at your next event or retreat.

2. Book a strategy call so I can answer your questions.