Run Your Own Burnout Epidemic Book Club
Jennifer Moss is the author The Burnout Epidemic, published by Harvard Business Press in 2021.
We’ve put together this list of questions to get you started with your discussions for each chapter of The Burnout Epidemic, in order for you to take a deeper dive into the concepts of the book.
You can also visit our book page to buy bulk copies of The Burnout Epidemic at a reduced rate.
After your members have read the book, use the critical thinking questions below to help guide the discussion.
Jennifer suggests running your book club for six or 12 weeks with six segments. 2 segments for each of the three sections of the book - Insights - Strategies -Leadership
PART ONE - Insights
Week 1 - The Six Root Causes of Burnout
Questions for Discussion:
What does The Burnout Epidemic describe as the six root causes of burnout?
Which of these resonates with you and why?
Have you used any tools to deal with this cause? – share examples.
Additional Reading:
What causes burnout, and how to prevent it - Big Think
How Stress Impacts Productivity
How Does Burnout Affect Productivity?
Week 2 - The Most Vulnerable Among Us
Questions for Discussion:
What does The Burnout Epidemic describe as the three personalities most at risk of burnout?
Which of these resonates with you and why?
Discuss the specific ways in which your industry is vulnerable to burnout.
Additional Reading:
PART TWO - Strategies
Week 3 - Good Intentions Gone Bad
Questions for Discussion:
What strategies have you seen implemented that didn’t work out as planned?
Why do you think that is?
What are some ways that leaders can model healthy behaviors?
Jennifer describes strategies that work, including Be Inclusive, Protect Personal Time, Rebalance Workloads, and Give Time Instead of Gifts – describe examples where you have seen any of these strategies in action.
Additional Reading:
The Trouble With Employee Surveys
https://www.jennifer-moss.com/media-appearances/google-cuts-perks-in-empty-offices
Workplace wellness benefits don't help. Here's what does
Week 4 - How to Measure Burnout
Questions for Discussion:
Has your organization employed surveys to measure burnout? Were they effective? Discuss why or why not.
Gauge your own feelings using these questions, then discuss the results with the group.
Over the past week...
How overwhelmed did you feel, on a scale of 1 to 5? (1 is lowest, 5 is highest)
How many days did you work later than you should?
How many days did you answer emails after hours?
How effective did you feel, on a scale of 1 to 5?
How productive did you feel, on a scale of 1 to 5?
How much fun did you have, on a scale of 1 to 5?
What are the three key points that The Burnout Epidemic tells us we should focus on when measuring for burnout? Discuss why these are key.
Additional Reading:
How to Recognize Burnout Culture at Your Business | CO- by US Chamber of Commerce
PART THREE - Leadership
Week 5 - Leading with Curiosity
Questions for Discussion:
How does your curiosity show up in your work?
In what ways can you employ a curious mindset to foster more meaningful connection to others?
What blocks or interferes with your curiosity? What could you do to remove these obstacles?
Additional Reading:
Creating a Happier Workplace Is Possible — and Worth It
Week 6 - Becoming an Empathetic Leader
Questions for Discussion:
Share a time over the last year where you’ve demonstrated empathy in the workplace. What did it look like and what were the results?
Name one thing you are going to start doing to create a culture of burnout prevention in your organization:
Today
In one month
By the end of the year
Additional Reading:
Empathy Is The Most Important Leadership Skill According To Research
Preventing Burnout Is About Empathetic Leadership
State of Workplace Empathy | Businessolver
Take Care of Yourself, Too
What are the HERO traits described in The Burnout Epidemic?
What is one thing you are to start doing to prevent burnout in your own life?
Today
In one month
By the end of the year
Additional Reading:
How to Help Your Team with Burnout When You’re Burned Out Yourself
Exhausted? You’re not alone. Here’s what to do about it - The Globe and Mail