Is Your Team Showing Signs of Burnout? How to Spot It Early and Take Action
- Vicky Cleary
- Apr 7
- 4 min read
Updated: 3 days ago
Many think burnout is a personal issue, but in reality, it’s a workplace challenge that leaders must address.
As a leader, it’s not just about managing your own stress—you also need to recognize when your team is struggling. Burnout in teams doesn’t always look like exhaustion. Instead, it can show up as disengagement, frustration, and declining performance.
The challenge? By the time someone admits they’re burned out, they’re already deep in it.
That’s why recognizing the early warning signs is key to preventing burnout before it spreads across your team.
Top 3 Signs of Team Burnout Leaders Shouldn't Ignore
Burnout rarely happens overnight—it builds gradually. If you notice your team struggling with motivation, productivity, or morale, these are common team burnout signs that could indicate your workplace culture is under stress.
By noticing these shifts early, you can step in with support—before burnout takes a toll.
🔥 1. Behavioral Changes
Withdrawal from team discussions or reduced engagement
Increased absenteeism or last-minute PTO requests
Avoidance of challenging tasks or reluctance to take initiative
What to Do: If a typically engaged employee becomes quiet, disconnected, or hesitant to take on challenges, don’t assume they’ve lost interest—check in with them.
Try saying: “I’ve noticed you’ve been quieter than usual in meetings—how are things going?” This simple question creates space for an open conversation before burnout worsens.
🔥 2. Emotional & Mental Shifts
More frequent frustration, irritability, or emotional outbursts
Loss of enthusiasm for projects they once enjoyed
Expressing feelings of being overwhelmed or undervalued
What to Do: When employees experience emotional shifts like frustration or disengagement, it’s often a sign that chronic stress is turning into burnout. As a leader, fostering a culture where employees feel safe discussing challenges is essential.
Normalize discussions about stress, workload, and well-being in regular check-ins.
Lead by example—share how you manage stress so employees feel encouraged to do the same.
A leader who models healthy boundaries and stress management sets the tone for a healthier workplace.
🔥 3. Declining Performance
Missed deadlines or a drop in work quality
More frequent mistakes or difficulty focusing
Complaints of brain fog, memory lapses, or decision fatigue
What to Do: Instead of assuming poor performance is due to lack of motivation or skill, consider whether burnout is the root cause.
Ask: “What’s making this project challenging for you right now?”
This opens the door for employees to share whether workload, stress, or burnout is impacting their work—before it leads to bigger performance issues.
How to Prevent Team Burnout Before It Spreads
Recognizing burnout is just the first step. The real work comes in preventing it. Here’s how you can create a burnout-resistant team culture:
✅ 1. Normalize Conversations About Stress & Workload
Employees who feel safe speaking up about workload challenges are less likely to suffer in silence.
How to implement:
Ask about workload in one-on-one check-ins.
Encourage team members to be honest about capacity and deadlines.
Listen without judgment—avoid pushing them to "just manage it."
✅ 2. Encourage (and Model) Breaks
Your team follows your lead. If you skip lunch, send emails at 10 PM, or never take time off, they will feel pressured to do the same.
How to implement:
Set the example by taking breaks and unplugging when needed.
Encourage vacation time and make sure team members feel supported when they take time off.
Consider setting team-wide “focus hours” where meetings and emails are minimized.
✅ 3. Recognize & Reward Smart Work (Not Just Overwork)
If your workplace only celebrates hustle culture, employees will ignore their own burnout until it’s too late.
How to implement:
Acknowledge employees for efficiency and impact—not just long hours.
Celebrate effective delegation and teamwork rather than excessive individual workloads.
Offer recognition beyond just productivity—highlight problem-solving, creativity, and leadership.
✅ 4. Provide Resources for Stress Management
Employees who have the right tools to manage stress are more likely to stay engaged and productive.
How to implement:
Offer wellness programs, stress management workshops, or coaching support.
Encourage structured recovery breaks during busy seasons.
Give employees autonomy in how they structure their workday to reduce stress triggers.
✅ 5. Check In Before Performance Slips
Don’t wait for someone to miss deadlines or disengage completely before addressing burnout.
How to implement:
Have regular one-on-one check-ins beyond just performance reviews.
Use pulse surveys to gauge team stress levels.
Be proactive—ask “What’s one thing that would make your workload feel more manageable?”
✅ 6. Model Healthy Boundaries & Work-Life Integration
Leaders set the unspoken rules for their teams. If you’re constantly working late, skipping breaks, or sacrificing personal well-being for work, your employees will feel pressure to do the same—even if you tell them otherwise.
🔹 If you struggle with burnout yourself, it’s difficult to help your team avoid it.
🔹 Leaders who model healthy balance create a culture where sustainable success is possible.
How to Implement:
Be intentional about boundaries – Set realistic work hours and avoid glorifying overwork.
Communicate your priorities – Let your team know when you’re taking breaks, prioritizing family, or setting time aside for personal well-being.
Encourage flexibility – Allow employees to adapt their work schedules when possible to manage energy, focus, and recovery better.
🚀 Your leadership sets the tone. If you’re struggling with stress and burnout, it’s even harder to support your team effectively. Learn how to manage your own energy and prevent burnout as a leader in my previous blog post.
Take Action: Is Your Team at Risk?
A burned-out team cannot perform at its best. Recognizing the early signs of burnout in teams is essential for sustaining long-term productivity and employee well-being.
🔥 Want to learn more about preventing burnout? I break down how to spot burnout early (in yourself and your team) in my full article here: https://www.uplifthealthylifestyle.com/post/burnout-prevention-starts-before-you-feel-burned-out
📩 Curious about your own burnout risk? Take my Burnout Assessment to pinpoint your biggest stress triggers and get a personalized strategy.
👉 Have you ever led a burned-out team? What did you do to turn things around? Drop a comment—I’d love to hear your insights!
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