Burnout is the New Normal
Each time I have served as a CEO or officer in a startup, or when I worked at Microsoft, I experienced burnout. Burnout, for me, stemmed from being driven by the belief that the technology industry is influenced by speculative investment bubbles, significant political events (such as the upcoming national election) and macroeconomic factors. Startup leaders, much like surfers, must catch the wave at the right moment—capitalizing on receptive corporate customers, strategic relationships, and a favorable exit environment—to skillfully take advantage of these exceptional golden opportunities. These times of opportunity are equivalent to a zero-sum gain where leaders must go “all in” to ensure success (or at least prevent failure).
Hugh Thompson, the Executive Chairman of the RSA Conference, recently wrote an article in Fortune titled “Burnout is Spiking” claiming that “burnout is on the rise again in the cybersecurity community.” Analysis of over 10,000 RSA speaker submissions reveals that discussions on burnout among cybersecurity professionals peaked in 2021 with the shift to remote work during the initial COVID-19 surge, normalized in 2022 and 2023, and have spiked again in 2024. Contributing factors include growing fears of personal liability for Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) due to recent legal cases, and increased pressure on businesses to rapidly report security breaches.
Thomas Friedman, NY Times columnist and best-selling author, has the following explanation in his piece, “Thank You For Being Late” where he cited:
Increased awareness and demand for more and more rapid tech innovation.
Humans being asked to keep up with AI without an increase in workforce or capacity.
Ever increasing awareness of real and perceived personal and professional demands/threat due to social media.
Crossed the inflection point of human adaptability and technology.
Lack of skills and tools to prevent and address burnout.
Kandi Wiens, a burnout researcher from the University of Pennsylvania, has written a timely article titled How Burnout Became Normal — and How to Push Back Against It This that discusses the rising issue of workplace burnout, especially among younger employees, highlighting its significant health and economic impacts. Kandi stresses the need for systemic changes and individual strategies to manage stress. These strategies include maintaining a balance of stimulation through techniques such as emotional regulation and mindfulness, ensuring autonomy, and fostering social support. The author recommends professional help for severe cases and calls for collective efforts to address the systemic causes of burnout.
My friend Edy Greenblatt, Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard, who is an executive care coach and consultant, recommends that you prioritize “reliable restorers” – such as getting sufficient sleep, exposing yourself to sunlight, engaging in activities that induce a state of flow, and incorporating sensory input through mindful movement.
People are looking for answers. Transcendental Meditation (TM) has enjoyed a surge in popularity recently due to its straightforward and accessible technique, which requires just 20 minutes of meditation twice a day. TM has been endorsed by celebrities and it offers significant health benefits such as reduced stress and improved heart health, and it is taught in a secular manner, making it attractive to a broad audience without requiring religious commitment.
There are many effective methods beyond TM for managing stress and preventing burnout. Techniques include mindfulness meditation, which focuses on observing thoughts without judgment, and physical exercise, which improves mental health. Cognitive-behavioral therapy helps modify negative thought patterns, while progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises reduce physical and mental stress. Engaging in hobbies, aromatherapy, and spending time in nature can also be beneficial. Social support, effective time management, guided imagery, biofeedback, and ensuring adequate rest are additional strategies that can help individuals handle stress more effectively. These techniques can be tailored to personal preferences and specific situations.
For founders and officers in startups, it's worth giving one or more of these methods a try. You might find them beneficial and avoid stress and burnout as your new normal.