Leadership in the Age of Burnout: Why boundaries are your best productivity tool
Emily Rust
In today’s always-on, hyper-connected world, it’s probably not burnout if — it’s likely burnout when.
According to Gallup, 44% of employees globally report experiencing workplace burnout, with leaders and managers reporting even higher rates. In New Zealand, studies show burnout rates have risen from one-in-nine employees at high risk of burnout in 2019 to a whopping 57% in 2024 (Haar, 2024). The pressure to be constantly available, to seamlessly cope with growing demands, and to model “resilience” often leads leaders down a dangerous path of blurred boundaries and exhausted teams.
But a quiet revolution is underway. More leaders are beginning to understand that setting strong boundaries isn’t a luxury, it’s a leadership responsibility.
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