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This is a free selection of public resources about burnout. In September 2018, I burned out— I simply lost sight of what matters. Here are some of the resources I have been collecting ever since.
I am Ivan Palomino ⏩ 🧟♂️ Founder of PeopleKult ⏩ 📖 Author of Step Zero Before the Hustle: How to Prepare Yourself for the Journey of Entrepreneurship ⏩ 🎙 Host of the Growth Hacking Culture Podcast ⏩ 💬 If you want me to add a resource, you can send me a message via LinkedIn
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| Link | Summary |
|---|---|
| https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/addressing-employee-burnout-are-you-solving-the-right-problem | This comprehensive McKinsey report uses global survey data to argue that burnout is a systemic organizational problem, with toxic workplace behavior being the single largest predictor. It critiques individual wellness solutions and provides a framework for leaders to drive systemic change. |
| https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbeseq/2024/09/06/understanding-and-addressing-burnout-in-the-workplace/ | This Forbes article clearly outlines the six key drivers of occupational burnout as identified by Dr. Christina Maslach (workload, control, reward, community, fairness, values) and offers practical solutions for each, positioning burnout as a preventable organizational issue. |
| https://www.jennifer-moss.com/writing/beyond-burned-out | In this HBR "Big Idea" piece, Jennifer Moss uses pandemic-era research to argue forcefully that burnout has reached crisis levels and is an organizational problem, not a personal failing. She critiques self-care as a solution that blames the victim. |
| https://www.gallup.com/workplace/313160/preventing-and-dealing-with-employee-burnout.aspx | This Gallup article details the top five causes of burnout, emphasizing the critical role of the manager in each. It provides five specific, actionable strategies for managers to prevent burnout on their teams, from listening to making work purposeful. |
| https://www.apa.org/topics/healthy-workplaces/workplace-burnout Employers need to focus on workplace burnout: Here's why | The American Psychological Association provides a clear, scientific definition of burnout, its three dimensions, and its severe consequences for individuals and organizations. It outlines strategies for both employers and employees to combat it. |
| https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/mckinsey-explainers/what-is-burnout | A concise "explainer" from McKinsey that defines burnout, highlights its prevalence (one in four employees), and underscores the disproportionate impact on women. It reiterates that toxic behavior is the biggest predictor of burnout. |
| https://www.fastcompany.com/section/burnout | This section page from Fast Company offers a collection of articles on burnout, covering topics from leadership energy and the four-day workweek to spotting burnout signs in managers and pushing back on excessive workloads. |
| https://www.inc.com/burnout | The Inc. magazine topic page on burnout provides a series of articles aimed at entrepreneurs and business leaders, focusing on themes like the hidden causes of burnout (lack of boundaries), empathetic leadership, and strategies for specific worker segments. |
| https://hbr.org/2021/02/beyond-burned-out | This is the full HBR article by Jennifer Moss that expands on the ideas in her "Big Idea" piece. It delves deeper into the six root causes of burnout and provides more detailed strategies for organizations to address them systemically. |
| https://store.hbr.org/product/hbr-guide-to-beating-burnout/10406 | This guide from Harvard Business Review Press is a practical handbook for individuals and teams. It covers how to recognize symptoms, differentiate stress from burnout, protect high performers, and bounce back after experiencing burnout. |
| Link | Summary |
|---|---|
| https://www.mckinsey.com/mhi/our-insights/toxic-workplace-behavior-and-employee-burnout-fix-one-fix-both | This McKinsey interview with expert Tessa West explores the deep connection between toxic behavior and burnout. It discusses how stress impairs leaders' ability to spot toxicity and offers strategies for addressing this foundational issue. |
| https://hbr.org/2022/03/leading-an-exhausted-workforce | This HBR article addresses the specific challenge of leading teams that are collectively exhausted from large-scale stressors. It provides steps for fostering healthy coping mechanisms and avoiding actions that create additional anxiety. |
| https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2025/07/17/a-disaster-experts-guide-to-preventing-employee-burnout/ | A Forbes article offering five leadership strategies to build team resilience: being authentic, transparent, present, growth-oriented, and appreciative. It emphasizes practical actions like over-communicating during stressful times. |
| https://www.fastcompany.com/90942586/this-is-how-companies-should-be-rethinking-the-employee-burnout-crisis | This Fast Company article argues for using well-structured employee incentive programs, milestone rewards, and a culture of recognition to combat burnout. It stresses that these must be paired with autonomy and manageable workloads. |
| https://www.inc.com/marcel-schwantes/3-reasons-your-employees-are-burning-out-and-how-to-fix-it.html | This Inc. article breaks down three common causes of burnout: excessive workload, lack of control, and lack of recognition. It provides straightforward, actionable fixes for leaders to implement. |
| https://www.uber.com/us/en/business/articles/how-to-prevent-burnout/ | This article from Uber for Business outlines three core organizational strategies for preventing burnout: clearly communicating expectations, creating opportunities for meaningful connection, and engaging with employees regularly to build psychological safety. |
| https://www.business.com/articles/6-ways-to-prevent-employee-burnout/ | This article provides six proactive ways for employers to prevent burnout, including eliciting employee feedback, creating reasonable workloads, offering flexible schedules, and promoting the use of mental health days. |
| https://hbsp.harvard.edu/catalog/collections/well-being-and-mental-health-at-work | This HBS collection curates resources on promoting employee well-being and mental health. It acknowledges the need to rethink management practices and use advances in brain science to support productivity and health. |
| Link | Summary |
|---|---|
| https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/burnout/art-20046642 | This article provides a clear, accessible guide for individuals to spot the signs of job burnout through a series of self-assessment questions. It also outlines common causes and suggests initial steps for taking action, such as talking to a manager and seeking support. |
| https://www.helpguide.org/mental-health/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery | A detailed guide covering the signs, symptoms, causes, and stages of burnout. It offers a comprehensive list of recovery strategies, emphasizing the "Three R" approach: Recognize, Reverse, and build Resilience. |
| https://positivepsychology.com/burnout/ | This article provides a thorough definition of burnout, its symptoms, and its causes from a positive psychology perspective. It highlights the impact of burnout on job performance and confidence and offers strategies for prevention. |
| https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/04/13/employee-burnout-recovery-and-prevention/ | This piece discusses the link between "moral distress" and burnout. It offers steps for both employers and employees to recover, including encouraging self-care, seeking stress management techniques, and prioritizing meaningful work. |
| https://www.eosworldwide.com/blog/10-signs-youre-headed-for-business-owner-burnout | A targeted article listing 10 specific signs of burnout for entrepreneurs and business owners, such as constant exhaustion, cynicism, and poor treatment of staff. It offers concrete recovery steps like unplugging and delegating. |
| https://www.entrepreneur.com/living/this-entrepreneur-crashed-and-burned-out-from-stress-now/321980 | A personal story of an entrepreneur who experienced severe burnout. The article shares the lesson that significance doesn't come from being overwhelmed and that slowing down is essential for long-term success. |
| Link | Summary |
|---|---|
| https://www.ted.com/talks/jacqueline_kerr_how_to_stop_burnout_before_it_starts | In this TEDx talk, Jacqueline Kerr argues that self-care is insufficient to solve burnout because it fails to address the structural inequalities that cause it. She advocates for using behavior change science to create organizational and cultural change. |
| https://www.ted.com/talks/anne_laure_le_cunff_the_surprising_solution_to_workplace_burnout | Neuroscientist Anne-Laure Le Cunff explains how ambitious knowledge workers can achieve their goals without sacrificing their mental health. She discusses the "generation effect" and how creating your own version of what you learn can prevent overload. |
| https://www.ted.com/talks/simone_stolzoff_how_to_reclaim_your_life_from_work | Writer Simone Stolzoff explores the problem of defining oneself by one's job. This talk provides a framework for reclaiming time and finding a sense of meaning and identity beyond the office, which is a key aspect of building resilience against burnout. |
| https://www.ted.com/talks/ashley_whillans_3_rules_for_better_work_life_balance | Time and happiness researcher Ashley Whillans offers three practical rules for creating a better work-life balance, focusing on how we can be more intentional about where we invest our time to increase fulfillment and reduce stress. |
| https://www.ted.com/talks/kelly_mcgonigal_how_to_make_stress_your_friend | Psychologist Kelly McGonigal presents the radical idea that stress may only be bad for you if you believe that to be the case. She introduces research suggesting that viewing the stress response as helpful can create the biology of courage. |
| https://www.ted.com/talks/arianna_huffington_how_to_succeed_get_more_sleep | Arianna Huffington shares a small idea that can awaken much bigger ones: the power of a good night's sleep. She argues that in our sleep-deprived, burned-out culture, the path to a more productive and inspired life is through prioritizing rest. |
| https://www.ted.com/talks/shawn_achor_the_happy_secret_to_better_work | Psychologist Shawn Achor argues that we have the formula for success backward. Instead of success leading to happiness, research shows that happiness and a positive mindset are precursors to greater success and higher productivity. |
| Link | Summary |
|---|---|
| https://adamgrant.net/podcast/burnout-is-everyones-problem/ | In this episode of his "WorkLife" podcast, Adam Grant explores how high-pressure workplaces can fight exhaustion by redesigning jobs and changing cultures. He distinguishes between stress and burnout and argues that burnout is a systemic problem. |
| https://brenebrown.com/podcast/brene-with-emily-and-amelia-nagoski-on-burnout-and-how-to-complete-the-stress-cycle/ | Brené Brown interviews Drs. Emily and Amelia Nagoski about their book "Burnout." They discuss the neurobiology of emotional exhaustion and explain the crucial concept of "completing the stress cycle" to prevent burnout. |
| https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/why-burnout-happens-and-how-bosses-can-help/id152022135?i=1000502468669 | In this HBR IdeaCast episode, burnout researcher Christina Maslach explains her framework of the six causes of burnout. She emphasizes that managers have the ability to address these causes and help their workers avoid exhaustion. |
| https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/burned-out-start-here/id1548604447?i=1000682997984 | In this episode of "The Ezra Klein Show," guest Oliver Burkeman discusses his book "Four Thousand Weeks." He argues that burnout stems from the insatiable desire to be more productive and that the solution lies in accepting our limitations. |
| https://freakonomics.com/podcast/are-you-suffering-from-burnout/ | This episode of "No Stupid Questions" with Angela Duckworth and Mike Maughan explores the nuances of burnout, using the Maslach Burnout Inventory as a guide. They discuss the difference between exhaustion from hard work and the hopelessness of burnout. |
| https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dare-to-lead-with-brené-brown/id1730985049 | Brené Brown's "Dare to Lead" podcast is a broader resource on courage-building for leaders. While not exclusively about burnout, many episodes touch on the vulnerability, empathy, and boundary-setting required to create burnout-resistant cultures. |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FFzUt9xGEKE | This HBR IdeaCast episode features a discussion on how corporate leaders can promote lasting change in their organizations by moving beyond DEI initiatives to embrace anti-racist leadership, addressing the burnout driver of "lack of fairness." |
| Link | Summary |
|---|---|
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XxYnX3HJ2gI | Simon Sinek discusses strategies for beating burnout in modern workplaces. He emphasizes the power of building strong relationships for support and the importance of carving out and protecting personal "me time" to maintain well-being. |
| https://www.youtube.com/shorts/dSFl_g9MpYQ | In this short clip, Simon Sinek shares a story from a military leader who realized her team's "burnout" was actually profound loneliness. The solution wasn't time off, but doing the hard work of making people feel connected and supported. |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lILX6kkCj-s | In this TEDx talk, career coach Julia Rock shines a light on three "hidden" factors challenging employee fulfillment and engagement. She advocates for employers to create psychologically safe spaces for employees to voice their needs. |
| https://youtu.be/guwJaUSsDUg?si=elxwCBsVf98_FGEp | Dr. Rangan Chatterjee explains that modern tiredness often stems from a lack of "micro-stress-doses" that build resilience. He advocates for small, daily practices that help the body and mind recover, preventing the slide into chronic exhaustion. |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_KsJPtxYZg | This webinar from the IPR Center features two Ph.D.s discussing effective strategies for employees and leaders to combat burnout in the communications industry, a field known for high pressure and intense demands. |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3_efZfSodA | This video provides top tips for entrepreneurs on avoiding burnout. It emphasizes building a routine, engaging in hobbies, and prioritizing self-care, reminding viewers that they are no use to their business if they burn out. |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lHBFOllxXPY | Angela Duckworth, author of "Grit," clarifies that grit is not about working until you're exhausted. She explains that burnout happens when you're putting everything in and getting nothing back, and that sustainable achievement requires rest and recovery. |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UY-jj1OYaLU | This Wall Street Journal video discusses the strategy of taking periodic career breaks to avoid burnout, especially for younger workers who may face longer careers. It covers how to plan for breaks and overcome challenges when re-entering the workforce. |
| https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yot_A2Q5xs8 | This WSJ contributor discusses how companies are increasing their focus on mental health by offering additional personal days off. It explores the benefits of "timeout days" and why addressing mental health is critical for business. |