Here are the early warning signs of burnout:
- Chronic Fatigue- exhaustion, tiredness, a sense of being physically run down
- Anger at those making demands
- Self-criticism for putting up with the demands
- Cynicism, negativity and irritability
- A sense of being besieged
- Exploding easily at seemingly inconsequential things
- Frequent headaches and gastrointestinal disturbances
- Weight loss or gain
- Sleeplessness and depression
- Shortness of breath
- Suspiciousness
- Feelings of helplessness
- Increased degree of risk taking
When talking with a client about some possible reasons for his / her feelings of stress in the workplace, consider explaining how any tool could break if it were used for something other than its intended use. For example, a spoon is great when used for soup, but when it’s used to drive nails or dig trenches, it may soon break. Likewise, when people do what they are not designed to do, they may eventually break.
As an Authorized Account Administrator using the DISC online assessment tools, you have assessment materials to assist you and the client to identify a client’s inherent potential for success:
- The Behavioral Analysis Profiling will identify an individual’s motivational style, communication preferences, value to an organization and ideal work environment.
The Career Planning Report will provide an individual with job titles appropriate for his / her style, including a comparison between the ideal work environment and the current work environment.
The Time P.L.U.S. Report will help a client understand time wasters and how to develop an action plan based on their unique style.
Help your clients understand how and why they do the things they do. Behavioral Profiling is a wonderful self-discovery process and also helps individuals to be more tolerant of the different styles of others. Often dialog with the appropriate person at work and /or a simple change at work can help one avoid many (if not all) of the early warning signs of burnout.