Collaboration to Stem the Tide of Burnout

Sadly, when I speak about burnout among nurses and physicians, the word bullying comes up much more than I would have expected. For physicians there is an historic legacy of hierarchy with medical students being like a gnat and sometimes just getting in the way of all the work that must be done, then the intern who is often dumped on, moving up to resident, attending and specialists.  In nursing that hierarchy does not exist; however, too often there is a hierarchy based on experience either overall or in a specific role. These bullying experiences are demoralizing and often lead to burnout.  Try collaboration as a way to stem the tide of burnout.

Collaboration means to work jointly with others to accomplish a common goal. While collaboration has a positive connotation, collaborator brings up the concept of ‘cooperating with or willingly assisting an enemy.’ The attitude of cooperating with an enemy, even if unconscious, will get in the way of  teamwork that can promote a more pleasant working environment that leads to both individual growth and improved patient care. Having a supportive team at work is a way to avoid burnout. Collaboration does not mean you have to become “buddy-buddy” with another person.

You can promote collaboration by relating positively.  Here are a few things you can do.

• Appreciate the other – Notice the unique skills a colleague brings to a situation. What is an area of competence that this person has demonstrated? What is her experience, what are her strengths? If they are not obvious to you, pay more attention.
• Allow for conflict – Conflict is inevitable when working with others over time.  It has positive outcomes when properly managed, i.e. decreasing group think and generating a variety of ideas. Be open-minded to another’s viewpoint, don’t shoot down ideas immediately and avoid blaming.  Instead of “that won’t work,”  be curious about what is being said. Ask “How will that work?”
• Be authentic while self-managing – There are ways to share your thoughts and even feelings without being nasty or insulting. Profit for the Positive suggests “Tame Your Oscar the Grouch.” You can do this in several ways. Name what you are experiencing. This helps dissipate the experience. You can label it to yourself without saying it outloud; in this way you create a bit of distance by being an observer. Take several deep breaths with a focus on the exhale prior to responding. And, there is always the ‘fake it till you make it’ strategy; this is often quite effective. By acting more positively you create a feedback loop internally that can actually engage the more positive attitude you desire, or at least need, to express in the moment.*

Effective professional collaborative relationships require mutual respect (Kramer & Schmalenberg, 2003). They also necessitate trust and tenacity. Trust takes time and at work, competence is required too. What can you do to demonstrate competence to yourself? to others?

For ways to enhance collaboration and to stem the tide of burnout, contact me.

Revitalize Your Life,

Dina, Well-Being Coach

203.744.YOU3 (9683)

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*Greenberg, Margaret and Maymin, Senia PhD, Profit from the Positive, McGraw Hill New York, 2013, p. 55 – 58.