Written by Aileen Carson, Fair Collective associate
Charity leaders are used to wearing many hats, juggling multiple responsibilities, managing limited resources and facing the emotional toll of dealing with tough situations.
However, the demands of providing services that make a difference and supporting their teams, combined with the pressures of funding cuts, staffing issues, and meeting contractual and regulatory targets, can take its toll on the people who lead charities, particularly if they have little support.
A survey of 350 charity workers by Third Sector found that more than 94% of respondents, the majority of whom held managerial positions, had experienced feelings of stress, overwhelm or burnout as a result of their work throughout the pandemic and 90% said their commitment to the organisation’s mission drove them to work longer hours or take on more than they could cope with.
Many described a commitment driven by a ‘pressure to perform’, a desire ‘not to let colleagues down’ or their own personal drive.
However, Covid isn’t the only reason for charity leaders experiencing high levels of
stress. Long before the pandemic, leaders were pushing themselves too hard for many reasons, including scarce resources, a sense of duty and their committed to the organisation’s aims.
All these factors can lead towards burnout, but many people don’t even realise their health is at risk or they think it will never happen to them.
The World Health Organisation defines burnout as a syndrome conceptualised as resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
Some of the most common characteristics associated with burnout are:
Feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion
Increased mental distance from your job
Negativity or cynicism towards your job
Reduced professional efficiency
Recognising these characteristics can be hard enough, but doing something about them can be harder, particularly if you have no idea where to turn.
You might find yourself having sleepless nights, mood swings, health issues, feeling tired and irritable, and, eventually, completely exhausted and unable to function.
You might have given up trying to make the time to do the things you once enjoyed or spending time with those closest to you. Even when you do take time off, you might find it’s harder to switch off as you’re still thinking about work even when you’re not actually working.
It doesn’t have to be like this.
To lead and sustain your organisation effectively, it's crucial to prioritise your wellbeing and manage stress proactively. Here are some tips to help you navigate the demands of your role and avoid burnout. Some of them might seem obvious, but it’s amazing how often we forget the basics when we’re under pressure.
Recognise your own needs
This might sound counterintuitive, but it’s important to put your own needs first and look after yourself to ensure you are physically and mentally well. This means prioritising sleep, a healthy diet, exercise and doing things that bring you joy. Putting yourself first is not selfish. It’s essential for sustaining the energy and resilience you need to lead effectively.
A useful question to ask yourself whenever you feel your stress levels rising is: ‘what do I need right now?’. Then listen to what your body is telling you. You might need something as simple as food or drink, some fresh air or exercise, or you might need a break. Don’t ignore what your body is telling you. If you do, you’ll be forced to take an unplanned break when you burn out.
Focus on what you can control
A major source of stress is focusing on what you can’t control. There will always be things you can’t control and focusing on these or wishing they could be different will only add to your stress or frustration.
Some of our stress can also come from worrying about what might happen in the future or ruminating over what has happened in the past. These are also outside your control, so focusing on them will only use up energy that you need for other things.
Changing your focus and recognising what is within your control and what isn’t will enable you to spend your time and energy on what you can control or influence. It won’t solve all your problems, but it will help you reduce your stress levels and see things more clearly.
Set boundaries
Boundaries are crucial for preventing burnout. While the thought of setting boundaries can be uncomfortable, they are important for maintaining your wellbeing as well as your personal and professional relationships.
Once you know what boundaries to put in place to protect your wellbeing, make sure you communicate them to others. Be specific about what you need and why it’s important to you.
Learn to say no to tasks or commitments that exceed your capacity or interfere with personal time and make sure your team members know you can’t be there for them all the time.
It’s also crucial to be consistent when enforcing boundaries. This might feel challenging at times, but being consistent helps other people understand that your boundaries are non-negotiable.
Setting boundaries around your time, workload and availability protects your mental health and allows you to focus on your priorities.
Delegate responsibilities
Effective delegation is key to preventing overwhelm and spreading the workload. Trust your team members and empower them to take on tasks and responsibilities. Delegating not only lightens your workload, it will also provide growth and development opportunities to your team.
Would any of your team members like to take on more responsibility? You might find there are people who want to progress and would be happy to take on pieces of work that might help them do this. You’d be helping them progress with their career which can be difficult for them in smaller organisations.
If you don’t have any employees, can you outsource any tasks? Consider the jobs that someone else could do more quickly than you. Charity leaders juggle so many different tasks, but there will be things that you do that are not necessarily your area of expertise, so think about who else could help.
Prioritise tasks
With limited time and resources, it’s important to prioritise tasks and focus on activities that align with your organisation's purpose and goals. Use tools such as the Eisenhower matrix below to identify high-priority tasks and allocate resources efficiently. Remember that not everything is equally important and it's okay to let go of non-essential tasks. Make peace with not getting everything done.
Build a strong support network
A strong support network can help get you through particularly stressful times. Connect with other charity leaders or mentors who understand the unique challenges you face. Joining peer support groups, networking events or professional associations provides opportunities to share experiences, seek advice and gain perspective from others in similar roles. Sometimes having someone to listen to you can help to reduce overwhelm.
Be proactive in managing stress
This might sound easier said than done, but it’s important to do whatever you can to manage your stress.
Meditation is a fantastic way of dealing with stress and helping you stay calm, but if this doesn’t appeal to you, make time for things that make you happy. No matter how busy you are, breaks are important and doing things you enjoy can help you switch off. Taking a break can also make you more productive.
During moments of stress, breathing exercises can help you feel calmer. One of my favourites is box breathing. It’s really simple and you can do it at your desk without anyone noticing what you’re doing. Breathe in for a count of four, hold your breath for a count of four, exhale for four and hold your breath for four. Keep doing this until you start to feel calmer. You can also do this in bed at night if you’re struggling to get to sleep.
Stay organised
Effective organisation can help to reduce overwhelm. This could include developing systems for managing tasks, deadlines and information efficiently. Use calendars, to-do lists or project management tools to stay organised and avoid feeling overwhelmed by your workload. A well-organised approach can boost your productivity and reduce stress, particularly if you’re working with lots of different clients and stakeholders.
If you’re working on large projects, break them down into manageable chunks. Large projects or tasks can be overwhelming, but focusing on completing one task at a time will give you a sense of progress as you accomplish each one.
Celebrate achievements
Something we often forget to do when we’re constantly busy and under pressure is celebrate our achievements, no matter how small they might seem. Recognise the impact your charity is making to the people using its services. Celebrating successes can boost morale and remind you why you do what you do. It can also remind your team of the difference they’re making to people’s lives.
Seek support
If you still feel overwhelmed and are concerned you’re heading towards burnout, despite being proactive in setting boundaries, looking after yourself and managing your stress, it’s essential to recognise when additional support is needed and to seek professional help if necessary. Whether through counselling or coaching, investing in your mental health is a crucial step towards long-term wellbeing and sustainable leadership.
Finally, remember that taking care of yourself isn't selfish. It's necessary for leading your organisation with passion, resilience and compassion to realise your goals and purpose.