How do you identify when you might be experiencing more than disengagement or burnout? When it’s a deeper, values conflict? And, how do you respond?
This week’s episode of Fast Company’s podcast The New Way We Work hosted a fascinating conversation live from their Innovation Festival. The topic, Beyond Burnout, was primarily dedicated to this question: Why are so many people unhappy at work?
Within the discussion, a considerable amount of focus was given to defining burnout vs. disengagement, and the ways to determine if an employee is disengaged, on their way to burnout, or has already flamed out. These distinctions are important since the problems are dramatically different and require unique, individual solutions.
While this is an important conversation, what REALLY sparked my attention was a subsequent discussion about disengagement and burnout vs. work conflict. Wait. What? Work conflict?
This struck a nerve. The speakers, Ludmila Praslova and Phoebe Gavin, both experts in the field of talent and wellbeing, explained that what makes these concepts so fundamentally different is that disengagement and burnout are more about energy – a lack of interest or connection in the work, or a more fundamental depletion of your core energy, while work conflict is a matter of MORAL INJURY. It’s the idea that you are essentially performing work that is in conflict with your values and possibly your conscience. Or, in my terms, in conflict with your very personal True North.
Wow.
While the speakers both seemed to think you could be experiencing moral injury or conflict at work without also experiencing burnout, I personally don’t see how that’s possible. I simply cannot imagine a more exhausting, unsustainable work environment.
When you don’t enjoy the work you’re doing, or don’t feel a connection to its purpose, you potentially have options, both internally and externally. You could ask for a change in role, new or different types of projects, stretch opportunities., etc.
But when your job or company is forcing you to operate in a way that is in conflict with your values and ethics? The only true resolution or solution is to run, not walk, to the exit.
The key is to be honest with yourself. Ask the tough questions: Am I bored? Disconnected to a sense of purpose? Is my energy depleted? Am I in a role that is forcing me to act in conflict with myself and my values? Am I honest with myself and others when I describe my work? Am I proud of my job?
Let your answers guide your path.
(Note: There is another conversation to be had here if you are a senior leader. The short answer is this: It is your responsibility to create and be the change if a moral conflict situation is present.)
