Burnout Isn’t What You Think: A Conversation with Paula Davis (Part One) cover art

Burnout Isn’t What You Think: A Conversation with Paula Davis (Part One)

Burnout Isn’t What You Think: A Conversation with Paula Davis (Part One)

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 In this episode, Clint talks with Paula Davis – Founder and CEO of the Stress & Resilience Institute and author of “Beating Burnout at Work” and “Lead Well” – about what burnout really is, why most organizations misunderstand it, and what leaders need to do differently to build resilient, high-performing teams.

Drawing from her own experience burning out as a lawyer and her work with leaders across industries, Paula explains why burnout is a systemic issue rooted in how work is designed. She breaks down the key drivers of stress and disengagement, why leaders often miss what’s really happening on their teams, and how small, intentional actions can create meaningful change.

Through practical insights and research-backed frameworks, Paula offers a clearer way to think about workload, team dynamics, and leadership behaviors, helping leaders move from reactive fixes to sustainable performance.

This is the first part of a two-part conversation.

Topics Covered:
  • Paula’s journey from law to burnout and into resilience research
  • Why burnout is more than just an individual stress problem
  • The difference between high workload and unmanageable workload
  • Why most wellness programs don’t fix burnout
  • The gap between what leaders think and what employees experience
  • Why burnout is a systemic, culture-driven issue
  • The six core drivers of stress and disengagement in teams
  • How lack of recognition shows up beyond just not hearing “thank you”
  • The role of fairness, transparency, and trust in team health
  • Why leaders are often underprepared to address burnout
  • How meaningful one-on-one conversations drive engagement
  • The impact of constant busyness and overloaded teams
  • Why connection and community break down under pressure
  • The balance between autonomy and belonging in modern work environments
  • How small, consistent leadership actions (“tiny noticeable things”) create resilience


Links:
Paula’s website - https://stressandresilience.com/
Paula’s LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/pauladavislaack/
Paula’s book, “Beating Burnout at Work” - https://amzn.to/4tKzkEG
Paula’s book, “Lead Well” - https://amzn.to/4mvTqQC
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