Top 5 Burnout Prevention Strategies for Fractional Executives in 2023
Burnout is a pressing issue in the corporate world, especially for executives. As organizations strive to foster employee engagement, the risk of burnout for leadership team members rises due to the high demands placed on them for prolonged periods. Fractional executives face unique challenges as they are often engaged on a part-time basis, providing strategic guidance, and ensuring continuity in leadership when required, among other responsibilities. These demands can lead to additional stress and potential burnout if not properly managed.
To avoid burnout, fractional executives must cultivate a proactive approach to stress management and work-life balance. Here are some strategies to consider:
Acknowledge the risk: Fractionals have to understand that burnout is real and that sometimes working will actually be a net negative. Once you understand and acknowledge that risk, you can start building proactive defenses.
Find outlets: Find something that you enjoy doing and that you can do whenever the stress is building up to a dangerous level. For some, this might be as simple as watching humorous Youtube videos. Finding your outlet is a way for you to recharge yourself when your battery is running low.
Social Activities: Sometimes you have to turn off the phone, forget all about work, and go enjoy some social activities. While being a fractional means you will interact with a lot of people every day, interacting with people who are not part of your work life is important and can ease the build-up of stress and fatigue that leads to burnout.
Set Boundaries: Restrictions on after-hours work tasks can significantly improve your overall mental health and work hours performance. Similar to social activities, setting boundaries might include hiring a VA to manage some client relationships while you’re clocked out.
Assessment of Workload: Constantly assessing your workload and ensuring that you are not carrying an unrealistic burden can reduce the chances of burnout by 70 percent according to Gallup (https://www.gallup.com/workplace/237059/employee-burnout-part-main-causes.aspx).
The role of a fractional executive often involves providing strategic expertise, leading specific projects, and acting as an interim leader. This flexibility allows companies to adjust their leadership based on changing needs, which, while advantageous, can also be a potential source of stress.
A successful fractional executive should aim for a natural exit date or exit result, leaving the company in a better state than when they started. In doing so, they can manage their workload and stress levels effectively, avoiding burnout while still providing valuable services.
Being proactive is like having a superpower that helps us avoid feeling too tired or stressed. When we're proactive, we plan ahead. We think about what might stress us out and we make plans to handle it. We also make sure to set aside time to relax. Instead of just reacting to whatever happens, we take control and plan our actions. Being proactive helps us balance our work with time to rest and have fun. It helps us keep our energy up and avoid burnout.
It keeps us at peak performance.
