Boredom & Burnout: The Unusual Connection in Leadership

I feel pretty comfortable in saying that everyone pretty much knows what “boredom” feels like. But what does it look like in leadership roles? Here are a few examples: unfocused, not feeling relevant, drowsy in meetings, mentally checked out, or doing the same repetitive or boring tasks everyday.

Now, its ok to be bored sometimes, this is very natural. However, if it happens on a repetitive basis, this can interfere with cognitive functioning as your brain is not being active (or being triggered to be active). And how does your brain become active you say? Well, via learning something new, being creative, problem solving, team work, social engagement, etc.

Boredom can be an early warning sign of burnout, as it reflects disengagement and emotional exhaustion that gradually chops away at motivation and wellbeing.

Boredom can also lead to lack of creativity or lack of creativity can lead to boredom. Either way, opening the door to feeling burned out.

When we lack the ability to think or problem solve (i.e. our brain being active), each day becomes mundane and dreadfully routined. Both boredom and burnout ends with the same results…ineffective behavior output.

When boredom sets in, people often feel stuck in repetitive or meaningless work, which increases frustration and accelerates emotional exhaustion, the foundation of burnout. Boredom strips away the sense of meaning and engagement, and over time this lack of fulfillment drains motivation, leading directly into burnout.

Quick Tips

In leadership, its important to remember your purpose or your work. What use to excite you? What has changed in your industry or what has changed in your personally life that has slowly chipped away at your enthusiasm? Self reflect on these question and be honest. We can only improve with authenticity.