Sustaining and Surviving

The job of a CMO can be high-pressure and high-stress. Avoiding burnout and stagnation can be a challenge – especially amid the steady drum beat of national and international crises. In this episode, Jaime talks to Alan Stein, author of Sustain Your Game:  High Performance Keys to Manage Stress, Avoid Stagnation, and Beat Burnout. In the course of their conversation, Alan and Jaime discuss:

‍

Key Takeaways

• Avoiding Burnout with Balance: Prioritize self-care routines, such as morning and evening habits, and allow time for activities that replenish energy.
• The Power of Vulnerability: Leaders who openly share struggles encourage their team to do the same, fostering trust and honest communication.
• Control What You Can: Focus on managing perceptions and reactions rather than external events to reduce stress effectively.
• Combatting Stagnation: Continually seek out growth opportunities and engage in routines that challenge the mind and body.
• Set and Respect Boundaries: Define clear work-life boundaries and uphold them to improve productivity and team morale.

‍

Episode Summary

What Causes Burnout and How Can Leaders Help Address It?

Alan Stein Jr. explains that burnout occurs when there’s a disconnect between the effort someone puts into their work and their sense of purpose and fulfillment. Burnout is often a result of prolonged stress, overwhelming workloads, or a lack of personal satisfaction. Stein emphasizes that burnout can happen when people neglect physical, mental, or emotional self-care, leading to exhaustion and a lack of motivation.

Leaders can prevent burnout by fostering a supportive environment and encouraging their teams to engage in self-care practices. Leaders can also model these practices by setting clear work-life boundaries and demonstrating their own commitment to self-care. Regular check-ins that go beyond work tasks can help leaders gauge their team members’ stress levels and create an atmosphere where it’s okay to ask for help or share concerns. By prioritizing self-care and encouraging their teams to do the same, leaders can create a culture that minimizes burnout and promotes overall well-being.

‍

How Can Building Healthy Routines and Setting Boundaries Reduce Stress?

Stein advocates for the importance of routines, especially in the first and last hours of the day. Starting the day with exercise, reading, or a quiet reflection period helps individuals set a positive tone for the day, while winding down with a consistent evening routine prepares the body and mind for restful sleep. This structure enables people to handle the day’s challenges with greater resilience and focus.

Setting boundaries is crucial to sustaining productivity and avoiding burnout. By setting clear expectations for work hours and communicating these boundaries, individuals can protect their personal time. For example, Hunt shares her boundary of not checking emails after a certain hour, allowing her to recharge. By building routines that foster well-being and setting boundaries, individuals can manage their stress more effectively, keeping their professional lives in balance with personal needs.

‍

What Role Does Vulnerability Play in Combating Stagnation?

Stein emphasizes the importance of leaders embracing vulnerability to connect authentically with their teams. When leaders are open about their own challenges with stress or workload, team members feel more comfortable being honest about their own struggles. This vulnerability cultivates a supportive work environment where issues can be addressed collaboratively, allowing everyone to contribute solutions.

Regularly refreshing skills, setting new personal goals, and engaging in meaningful activities can keep individuals from feeling stagnant. Leaders who encourage team members to pursue personal and professional development help keep workplace energy high, reducing feelings of stagnation and fostering ongoing engagement.

‍

Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is sponsored by our friends at Nectir - the instant chat tool that engages campus communities and reduces burnout. This community and engagement platform is purpose-built for higher education and connects campus classrooms through conversation. In just 12 months, tens of thousands of students, instructors, and administrators at partner campuses have made Nectir an integral part of their daily learning experience.  Learn more about how you can get Nectir on your campus here. 

Confessions of a Higher Ed CMO is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network.  If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!  

Our podcast network is growing by the month and we’ve got a plethora of marketing, admissions, and higher ed technology shows that are jam packed with stories, ideas, and frameworks all designed to empower you to be a better higher ed professional. Our shows feature a selection of the industry’s best as your hosts. Learn from Mickey Baines, Zach Busekrus, Jeremy Tiers, Corynn Myers, Jaime Gleason and many more. 

Learn more about The Enrollify Podcast Network at podcasts.enrollify.org. Our shows help higher ed marketers and admissions professionals find their next big idea — come and find yours!