324: The Hidden Mismatches Driving Burnout with Cait Donovan

How can you recognise burnout, understand its root causes, and create a better match between people and the workplace?

In this episode of the Happier at Work podcast, Aoife O'Brien speaks with Cait Donovan, author of the upcoming book ‘Mismatch: Why Good People Burn Out in Good Organisations’, about the difference between chronic stress and burnout, the role of workplace mismatches, and why burnout is blameless. Cait explains that burnout is defined by a lack of recoverability, with recovery taking 12 to 18 months on average.

In This Episode, You’ll Discover:

The difference between chronic stress and burnout, and why recoverability is the key distinction.Why burnout can take 12 to 18 months to recover from.How childhood experiences and emotional neglect can affect interoception, agency, and the ability to notice stress signals.Why burnout is blameless, with contributing factors often found in both the individual and the workplace.

Related Topics Covered:

Workplace Culture, Mental Health, Chronic Stress at Work

Connect with Aoife O’Brien | Host of Happier at Work®:

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Connect with Cait Donovan | Author, Culture & Leadership Keynote Speaker & Advisor:

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Episode 241: Exploring The Phases of Burnout with Aoife O’Brien