Most leaders think burnout is just “feeling tired” – but that’s like thinking frostbite is just “cold fingers”. In this conversation with Hazel Anderson Turner – business psychologist, mindset coach, and author of Coaching Through Burnout – we break down what burnout actually is, why leaders often miss it in themselves, and how to spot it early before it wipes out your team’s energy, performance, and trust.
Hazel draws on over 15 years of coaching leaders, including front-line NHS managers during the pandemic, to explain how chronic stress changes the way we think, act, and relate to others. We cover the subtle early-warning signs, why our coping mechanisms often accelerate burnout, and the conversations that build trust and resilience long before a crisis hits. If you want practical, human-centred ways to keep yourself and your team in the game – without sacrificing your sanity – this is the episode.
How to spot burnout early and protect your team’s resilience-
Learn the three key burnout symptoms: exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced effectiveness.
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Pay attention to disrupted sleep patterns, withdrawal from hobbies, and tech overuse.
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Notice when you start pushing away activities and people that relieve stress.
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Shift from directive management to coaching-style conversations.
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Build trust early by asking “what’s most important to you?” and listening to the answer.
[01:45] – The three signs of burnout every leader should know [04:00] – How trying to “just work harder” makes burnout worse [07:15] – Why leaders often don’t recognise burnout in themselves [12:12] – The early-warning signals that mean it’s time to act [20:55] – The team-level conversations that prevent burnout [27:25] – Building trust before you need it: Hazel’s go-to question [33:18] – Why the best managers listen more than they talk [36:13] – Hazel’s billboard message to the world
Links & resources-
Coaching Through Burnout by Hazel Anderson Turner – https://hazelandersonturner.co.uk/coaching-through-burnout/
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Hazel’s podcast Coaching Unpacked – https://hazelandersonturner.co.uk/coaching-unpact/
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