The Business Of Burnout is holding us back – Here’s how to beat it
Oct 8, 2025
Angela Priestley, co-founder of Women's Agenda and author of the 2025 Women's Ambition Report, dives into the alarming rise of burnout among women, revealing that 72% have faced it recently. She discusses various external pressures, like cost-of-living and social media, that contribute to workplace exhaustion. Priestley also highlights the negative impact of difficult managers and workplace bullying. Finally, she offers solutions for organizations, such as establishing supportive policies and promoting the right to disconnect, to foster healthier workplaces.
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Burnout Became Widely Named In 2021
- Burnout is not a medical term but is recognised as an occupational phenomenon by WHO and is now widely named.
- Awareness rose sharply around 2021 amid pandemic-era workforce shifts and the 'great exodus'.
External Pressures Amplify Workplace Strain
- Multiple societal pressures (cost of living, climate, AI, social media) amplify feelings of overwhelm beyond work.
- These external stressors combine with workplace demands to increase burnout risk.
Use Tech Rules To Protect Focus
- Design tech use for endurance not just efficiency by setting offline hours, focus days, and email curfews.
- Leaders must role-model boundaries to protect focus, recovery, and deep work.