Management Research

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 3 (Burnout Questionnaire)

Dear listeners!

In this episode, I dive into a topic that’s both technical and deeply human: how we measure burnout.

You’ve probably heard of the Maslach Burnout Inventory (MBI) - it’s the most widely used tool out there. But is it really the best option? Drawing on critiques by Kristensen and colleagues (2005), I explore why the MBI might not give us a coherent or actionable picture of burnout. Its three dimensions - emotional exhaustion, depersonalisation, and reduced personal accomplishment—are measured independently, even though burnout is defined as the simultaneous presence of all three. This mismatch between concept and measurement can lead to confusion and questionable conclusions.

Instead, I talk about why I prefer the Copenhagen Burnout Inventory (CBI). It’s clear, research-backed, and openly accessible. More importantly, it focuses on emotional exhaustion, which many agree is the core of burnout.

I also touch on an important ethical question: how do we approach burnout assessments at work without stigmatising individuals? I argue for anonymous, organisation-wide surveys - ideally on a quarterly basis - as a way to surface problems early, reduce bias, and promote real dialogue.

This episode is for anyone interested in HR, leadership, or just better understanding the people around you.

Give it a listen - and let me know what you think.

 

Best

Eugene (Yevgen)

PS. Our book: https://link.springer.com/book/10.1007/978-3-031-56615-8

#burnout #emotionalexhaustion #burnoutmeasurement #leadership #humanresources #organizationalhealth #CopenhagenBurnoutInventory #CBI #MaslachBurnoutInventory #MBI #mentalhealthatwork #futureofwork #podcast #managementresearch

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 3 (5 Why's)

Hello again, dear listeners,

In this episode of my #burnoutprevention and #wellbeing series, I take you on a journey into the heart of problem-solving in complex work environments - by simply asking why. Inspired by a well-known technique from #processmanagement, we explore how repeatedly asking “why?”- five times, to be exact - can reveal the hidden roots of psychological strain at work.

Using the example of a talented employee struggling with the blurred boundaries of remote work, I reflect on how individual challenges often point to broader structural or cultural issues. We’ll also look at what organisations can do, from redesigning job roles to supporting skills like mental switching and mindfulness.

Sometimes, solutions don’t require a major overhaul - just a deeper understanding and a bit of creativity. Whether you're a #manager, #HRprofessional, or just curious about the human side of work, this episode will offer new insights into how stress emerges - and how it can be gently defused.

As always, thank you for tuning in. Your comments and shares help spread these ideas further!

Best,
Eugene (Yevgen)

#mentalhealth #rootcauseanalysis #5whys #remotework #stressmanagement #psychologicalsafety #processdesign #employeeexperience #mindfulness #workplacewellbeing #reflection #podcast

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 3 (Tarot cards)

Hello dear listeners,

In this latest episode of my #wellbeing and #burnoutprevention mini-series, I invite you to explore an unconventional but surprisingly effective tool for uncovering hidden workplace problems: projective techniques - with a little help from a deck of tarot cards.

When we don't yet know what we're looking for, traditional #metrics and KPIs can fall short. In such moments, we need to open up space for interpretation, reflection, and intuition. Inspired by a story from my own experience during a complex HR case in Kyiv, I share how a simple tarot spread unexpectedly led to one of the most insightful problem-solving discussions I’ve ever facilitated.

This episode is a reflection on how we access our deeper insights, stimulate creative thinking, and give voice to the undercurrents in our organisations. It’s not about fortune-telling—it’s about making the invisible visible.

Join me in exploring how abstract images and symbolic thinking can unlock new perspectives in your team or company. You might be surprised by what emerges.

Warmly,
Eugene (Yevgen)

#burnout #emotionalintelligence #decisionmaking #intuition #hr #organizationalpsychology #reflection #leadership #problemsolving #creativethinking #psychologicalsafety #podcast #businesspsychology

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 3 (Students' Ideas)

Hello dear listeners,

In this new episode of my #wellbeing and #burnoutprevention mini-series, I dive into something a bit different—but truly inspiring: the power of creative, low-tech ideas to reflect and improve emotional climate at work.

From smiley strips on office doors to mood chips in transparent tubes, colourful coffee cups, chocolate-based feedback, and even burnout dartboards - these clever tools were all proposed by my brilliant students in a recent business psychology class. They prove that emotional wellbeing doesn't always need expensive systems - it can start with paper, colour, and trust.

Tune in to hear how simple #visualtools can open important conversations about #emotions, #stress, and early signs of #burnout in the workplace. Sometimes, the most insightful solutions come from those just entering the field.

As always, thank you for listening - and your shares, comments, and feedback mean the world to me!

Warmly,
Eugene (Yevgen)

#mentalhealth #emotionalwellbeing #processmanagement #leadership #psychologicalsafety #employeeexperience #organizationalhealth #visualmanagement #futureofwork #humanfactors #podcast #businesspsychology

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 3 (Lift Buttons Idea)

Hello dear listeners

In this new episode of my #wellbeing and #burnoutprevention mini-series, I explore how visual process management techniques can be adapted to monitor emotional wellbeing in the workplace.

Inspired by simple tools like visual boards for missing equipment and feedback buttons at Frankfurt Airport, I discuss how small visual cues - like smiley buttons in lifts (elevators) - could help detect emotional stress patterns across different departments. Subtle emotional signals often go unnoticed, especially in hierarchical organisations, but with creative #visualmanagement, we might find new ways to identify and address #stress before it leads to #burnout.

Enjoy the episode—and your feedback, comments, and shares mean a lot to me!

Best,
Eugene (Yevgen)

#mentalhealth #emotionalwellbeing #processmanagement #leadership #workplaceculture #organizationalhealth #stressawareness #employeeexperience #humanfactors #reflection #podcast

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 3 (Stapling Exercise)

Hello again, dear listeners,

In this episode of my #wellbeing and #burnoutprevention mini-series, I introduce a simple yet powerful exercise borrowed from #processmanagement: “Process Stapling.” Originally used to visualise and improve workflows, this technique can also offer surprising insights into how burnout emerges within everyday job processes.

By stapling together not only task descriptions but also the emotional and psychological demands tied to each activity, we can identify pain points and mismatches early - before they turn into chronic stress or emotional exhaustion. It's not just about what people do, but how they feel while doing it.

Tune in to hear how understanding work processes from both technical and human perspectives can lead to healthier, more sustainable roles - where both #efficiency and #mentalhealth are taken seriously.

As always, I’m not a trained psychologist, so I encourage you to think critically and explore further.

Enjoy the episode - and thank you for your continued support through comments and shares!

Best,
Eugene (Yevgen)

#burnout #employeeexperience #emotionalexhaustion #processdesign #jobdemands #psychologicalsafety #workplacewellbeing #humanresources #processimprovement #reflection #podcast

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 3 (Let's Make It Worse)

Hello again, dear listeners,

In this thought-provoking episode of my #wellbeing and #burnoutprevention mini-series, I dive into a surprisingly powerful tool: #reversethinking. What happens when we flip the question from “How can we prevent #burnout?” to “How could we create it?”

Inspired by a book section that’s both insightful and unsettling, I explore how #chaos, #emotionalexhaustion, and #socialpressure contribute to burnout—often in ways we don’t immediately recognize. From #mentalload to Mary’s late-night student emails, these examples highlight how easily burnout can take root, even with the best intentions.

As always, I’m not a trained psychologist, so I invite you to reflect critically and explore further if the topic speaks to you.

Enjoy the episode—and as always, your feedback, comments, and shares mean the world.

Best,
Eugene (Yevgen)

#mentalhealth #selfcare #emotionalwellbeing #workplacewellbeing #stressmanagement #reflection #podcast

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 2 (History of Burnout, Part 2)

Welcome back, dear listeners,

In this second part of my mini-series on #wellbeing and #burnoutprevention, I continue exploring the complexities of #burnout. This time, I focus on its causes, warning signs, and practical strategies for prevention. While I share key insights, please remember that I am not a trained psychologist—so I encourage you to think critically and seek additional information if this topic interests you.

Enjoy the episode! Feel free to comment and share—your support truly matters.

Best,
Eugene (Yevgen)

 

📖 Book:
Springer
Amazon

 #BurnoutPrevention #WellbeingAtWork #ProcessManagement #Leadership #MentalHealth #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceCulture

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 2 (History of Burnout)

Welcome, dear listeners,

In this episode of my mini-series on #wellbeing and #burnoutprevention, I explore the history of the concept of #burnout and discuss how it differs from #depression. While I share key insights, please remember that I am not a trained psychologist—so I encourage you to think critically and seek additional information if this topic interests you.

Enjoy the episode! Feel free to comment and share—your support truly matters.

Best,
Eugene (Yevgen)

 

📖 Book:
Springer
Amazon

 #BurnoutPrevention #WellbeingAtWork #ProcessManagement #Leadership #MentalHealth #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceCulture

 

Employees' and Managers' Well-being: Chapter 2 (History of BPM)

Welcome, dear listeners!

Today, I continue my miniseries on employee and manager well-being. This series is based on our book about burnout prevention through process management tools (links below).

In this episode, I take you through the long history of process management—a crucial foundation for understanding why burnout happens and how we can effectively counteract it.

Tune in, enjoy, and share your thoughts in the comments!

Best,
Eugene (Yevgen)

📖 Book:
Springer
Amazon

 #BurnoutPrevention #WellbeingAtWork #ProcessManagement #Leadership #MentalHealth #EmployeeWellbeing #WorkplaceCulture