Signs your team is burning out and what you can do about it as a leader
Burnout isn’t just an individual issue; it’s often a systemic problem that reflects how a team or workplace is functioning. And when leaders miss the early warning signs, the cost can be high: disengagement, turnover, and long-term sick leave.
Good news? You can take action before it’s too late.
🚨 Early signs of team burnout
Burnout doesn’t happen overnight. These early signs are your red flags:
- Decreased engagement or motivation
Team members seem checked out, less enthusiastic about projects. - Increased mistakes or missed deadlines
This is not due to a lack of skill, but rather to cognitive overload or emotional fatigue. - Emotional irritability or withdrawal
People become more reactive — or more silent. Conflict may arise. - Physical complaints and absenteeism
There has been an increase in sick days, fatigue, and vague health issues such as headaches and stomach problems. - Loss of creativity or initiative
Teams are experiencing a decline in problem-solving and innovation, merely performing routine tasks.
These signs are often misread as laziness, lack of commitment, or incompetence, when in reality, they’re signs of nervous system overload.
🤝 What leaders can do to respond supportively
You don’t have to be a psychologist to support your team. You just need to be human and proactive.
1. Check in, not just check up
Make space for regular, honest conversations — beyond KPIs. Ask, “How are you really doing?”
2. Name what you see, without judgment
Try: “I’ve noticed you seem more tired lately — how are things going for you?”
3. Adjust expectations where possible
Help reprioritize tasks. Remove unnecessary stressors. Adding another wellness webinar won’t fix burnout.
4. Encourage breaks, boundaries, and recovery
Model this yourself. Normalize taking real breaks, not skipping lunch, and disconnecting after hours.
5. Bring in external support
Workshops, coaching, or therapy options — even small steps can show you care and reduce stigma.
🧭 Final thought
Burnout isn’t a personal failure. It’s often a team’s way of signaling that something isn’t working in the system. As a leader, your job isn’t to fix people — it’s to create conditions where people can thrive.
Support your people early, and they’ll have the capacity to support your mission.
