How Coaching Could Save Your Overwhelmed Executives
I always like to start the year out by researching the key trends HR Leaders will face in the new year. Time and time again, I see “retention” and “high potential development” as key areas of concern. A recent study by Blanchard again listed retention and development in their “Top 5 Key Challenges Facing HR in 2024”: developing leadership bench strength, retaining high-performing talent, recruiting, fostering innovation within their organizations, and providing a great employee experience.
Amidst these challenges, a pressing issue emerges - executive burnout. Research by a thought leader whom The People Side likes to follow, Nick Petrie, highlights that many executives operate at unsustainable levels, leading to burnout caused by both individual and organizational factors.
Understanding the Depths of Executive Burnout
The phenomenon of executive burnout, highlighted in Nick Petrie’s research, is a stark reality in today's corporate world. According to Petrie, burnout manifests in various stages – from high-functioning stress to chronic fatigue and motivation loss – and often gets to the point where significant life changes are required.
Petrie’s research also highlights that there are two key drivers of burnout: internal factors such as perfectionism or people pleasing, and organizational factors such as high workloads and lack of support.
Alas, rest alone does not cure the effects of burnout. Neither do traditional development methods. But there is hope.
Coaching, the unsung hero in fighting against burnout
Meet coaching, the unsung hero in the fight against burnout! When done right, coaching becomes a deeply personal journey that addresses both internal and organizational factors contributing to burnout. It involves understanding a leader’s unique situation, identifying root causes of overwork and overwhelm, and crafting strategies tailored to their needs. Through coaching, we guide them to reconnect with their purpose and find meaning in their pursuits, encouraging them to consider a renewed commitment to their organization.
Creating a safe space for leaders to explore their beliefs and challenges is where the magic happens. Coaching delves into the leader’s approach to work, their expectations, and their coping mechanisms to identify the root of burnout and develop strategies to manage their stress more effectively. This includes understanding how they may be creating their own stress through setting unreasonable expectations or examining an unwillingness to let go of work to empower others.
Work challenges and high workloads are not always a bad thing. There are times when high workloads can be an effective “heat experience” that stretches a leader. A coach can help a leader explore the positive aspects of an experience and encourage them to incorporate strategies that manage the internal and organizational factors leading to burnout.
This real-life example truly touched me. In 2023, one of our executive coaching engagements was with an executive at a Fortune 100 company who had a high workload, in part due to his achiever tendencies. As he worked with his coach to assess his level of overwhelm, he discovered it did not rise to a level of burnout because it was providing deep growth. This leader worked with his coach to maximize his growth and focused on what he could control, influence, and accept to keep his stress at a manageable level.
Building Sustainable Habits for Long-Term Change
For any change to be lasting, it needs to be habitual. Coaching, with its focus on habit formation, becomes a guide for leaders who are developing new behaviors and mindsets. Prioritization, delegation, and setting boundaries become essential skills in their high-pressure roles. It can also include helping leaders expand their capacity for complexity and create new mindsets around success.
And here's the amazing part – Research shows that investing in habit-building pays off — organizations focusing on habit-building improve job manageability by 71%!
As the Executive Coaching Practice Leader for The People Side, and a long-time certified executive coach, I have seen it work with leaders I have coached in the past. I recall working with a C-Suite executive from a Fortune 500 company who was overwhelmed and on the brink of leaving. Through coaching, we explored her current mindsets, created new beliefs around what success looks like, and built supporting habits in delegation and letting go. The result? The leader not only thrived but embraced additional responsibilities with a newfound resilience.
Coaching in Succession Planning as a Retention Tool
Coaching isn't just a solution for burnout; it's a pivotal player in succession planning. It's a testament to our commitment to leaders, nurturing them for the challenges that lie ahead and ensuring a continuous pipeline of skilled leadership.
In the intricate development landscape faced by HR Leaders and Learning Officers, coaching emerges as a beacon of light. It offers a path to lasting change, resilience, and effectiveness for our overwhelmed leaders. If you're seeking to transform your leadership approach, consider reaching out. Our global team of coaches at The People Side are dedicated to providing the seasoned expertise needed to tailor our coaching solutions to your unique organizational needs.
Let's embark on this journey together, nurturing your leaders and propelling your organization toward enduring success.
Recommended Readings:
Real Self Care: A transformative program for redefining wellness by Pooja Lakshmin
Heat Experiences: The Fuel of Growth by Nick Petire
