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https://theconversation.com/jacinda-ardern-resignation-has-people-wondering-when-to-quit-but-thats-the-wrong-way-to-think-about-burnout-198192>
"Jacinda Ardern’s resignation as New Zealand prime minister has sparked
discussions about burnout and when is the “right time” to leave a job. Some
have written admiringly about Ardern’s decision to leave, saying she is being
kind to herself and not overstaying her welcome – in contrast to many other
world leaders.
One of the youngest holders of public office, Ardern had become an
international symbol for how to integrate work and personal life. She famously
held her infant daughter while addressing the UN general assembly. But now this
narrative is marking her departure with misogynistic headlines such as “Can
women really have it all?”.
This attitude suggests that Ardern didn’t know her limits, and maybe bit off
more than she could chew. This is part of a larger misrepresentation of the
phenomenon of burnout, which equates it with the need for people to take better
care of themselves. Even Arden herself may have inadvertently reinforced this
focus on the individual aspect of burnout with her parting words, urging people
to “be strong, and be kind”.
Many people (especially healthcare professionals) wear burnout like a badge of
honour. Burnout is evidence that they have worked hard, putting everything into
their job.
But in her resignation speech, Ardern said she “no longer had enough in the
tank” to continue, suggesting that she felt continuing in the job was
unsustainable. This is a necessary reminder that burnout starts with the work
environment. Instead of asking why Ardern could not continue in her post, we
should be asking what factors in her job contributed to her feeling this way.
The world is full of people like Ardern who would love to leave their jobs but
can’t, due to their economic and social circumstances. As a prime minister,
Ardern would have had many resources at her disposal. If even someone in her
position can reach this point, it’s clear we need to be thinking more about how
organisations treat people – not what people themselves can do to avoid getting
burnout."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
