Your healthcare team is feeling overwhelmed. How do you keep them motivated and prevent burnout?

Acknowledge the Struggle 🗣️ First things first, let's get real about how hard things are. I remember during a particularly brutal flu season, I started our team huddles by saying, "Folks, this is tough, and you're all rock stars for showing up." It's like giving everyone permission to feel what they're feeling. No toxic positivity here! Celebrate Small Wins 🎉 We gotta find joy in the little things! I started a "Win Wall" in our break room where team members could post their daily victories, no matter how small. Seeing "Mr. J finally smiled today!" or "Managed to eat lunch sitting down!" really boosted morale. It's like a highlight reel of our everyday heroics!

To prevent burnout, it's crucial to delegate tasks effectively and share the workload. Ensure responsibilities are evenly distributed, so no one feels overwhelmed. For example, if a nurse is consistently handling high-stress situations in the ICU, consider rotating staff to give them a break. Bringing in temporary or per diem staff during peak times can also alleviate pressure. This approach not only reduces stress but also fosters teamwork, as everyone contributes to managing the demands of the workplace, helping to maintain a balanced and supportive environment.

Firstly, recognize the signs of overwhelm & acknowledge their feelings.Encourage psychological safety by creating an open environment where team members can speak freely/use an anon safety box if they’re uncomfortable speaking up directly.Add daily 10-min huddles for quick check-ins & alignments.Provide practical solutions,like reorganizing workloads/offering additional resources & support professional growth with training opportunities.Prioritize work-life balance, encourage taking breaks & offer mental health support.Celebrate successes to boost morale & show appreciation for their hard work.Create opportunities for team bonding & peer support to strengthen connections & resilience.Adjust strategies to ensure ongoing support & motivation.

In my 15 years of experience, as a manager in the health sector, I often encounter situations of emotional overload of employees. The first thing I do, is to try to understand the cause, to identify whether it is internal such as the relationship between them, overload, feeling unappreciated, or any cause outside the work environment.

Acknowledging the efforts of your healthcare team and keeping them motivated adds a multifaceted approach. here are a few strategies 1) Encourage Open communication: 2)Be an active listener 3) Foster a supporting environment 4)Prioritize work-life balance 5) Recognize - reward the efforts 6)support mental and physical well-being 7) Regularly assess and adjust