An essential guide to protect yourself from burnout by learning to develop and master key emotional intelligence skills
Why do some people in the world’s most stressful careers avoid burnout while countless others are overwhelmed by the demands of ordinary jobs? What can we learn from these resilient role models who seem to be naturally resistant to the psychological hazards of work?
After extreme stress caused a life-threatening health crisis in her own life, Dr. Kandi Wiens left a lucrative career in management consulting and enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania to understand why work was leaving millions of us sick, exhausted, unmotivated, and feeling stuck and ineffective. In her research, she discovered something remarkable: Despite dangerous levels of work-related stress, some people seemed to be naturally “immune” to burnout.
So what did these people have that Dr. Wiens and millions of others did not? In digging further, she uncovered one key difference: Regardless of their role, industry, or experience, all these professionals exhibited a high degree of emotional intelligence (EI). EI is the ability to clearly perceive, understand, and productively manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in service of one’s overall well-being and performance. The people with burnout immunity were relying on specific EI skills to successfully cope with stressful work environments and experiences. The result is that they were more productive; had happier careers and lives; and were free from the physical and mental ravages of exhaustion, negativity, and inefficacy that characterize burnout.
The good news is that everyone can build and boost emotional intelligence and use EI-based skills to manage workplace stress before it leads to breaking down or burning out. Burnout Immunity shows readers how to develop and master the EI skills, principles, and strategies Dr. Wiens uncovered in her research, including
Awareness
Regulation
Meaningful Connections
Mindset
Recover, Reconnect, and Reimagine
and bring them to bear on their own unique roles and work environments.
Bolstered with research, exercises, self-assessments, and real-life stories from people with natural burnout immunity and those who’ve cultivated it, Burnout Immunity teaches workers how to positively cope with stress and to enjoy healthier and happier relationships with work.