Misconceptions about burnout in product management - Evie Brockwell (Product Leadership Coach)
Jan 22, 2025
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Evie Brockwell, a seasoned product consultant and coach from Booking.com, joins the conversation to tackle the pressing issue of burnout in product management. She shares her own experiences and discusses alarming burnout statistics while emphasizing self-care and the significance of recognizing warning signs. The chat reveals common misconceptions, including the myth that women suffer from burnout more than men. Practical strategies for prevention, fostering open communication, and creating aligned values in teams are also highlighted, offering vital insights for professionals seeking balance.
Burnout in product management is alarmingly prevalent, with 92% experiencing it due to personal perfectionism and external pressures.
Leaders can combat burnout by fostering supportive environments and engaging in regular check-ins to promote well-being among their teams.
Deep dives
Understanding Burnout
Burnout is defined by the World Health Organization as a state of chronic stress that leads to feelings of exhaustion and negativity towards one's job. However, this experience can extend beyond traditional employment, affecting those undertaking job searches or freelance work as well. Symptoms typically persist for three months or more, distinguishing burnout from common workplace stress. Recognizing the early signs of burnout is crucial to address it before reaching an irreversible point of exhaustion.
The Prevalence of Burnout in Product Management
A staggering 92% of individuals in product management report experiencing burnout or being on the verge of it, indicating a significant crisis in the field. The research highlights that personal perfectionism and organizational pressures contribute to this prevalence, as role ambiguity and constant demands for decision-making create immense strain. Many individuals have experienced burnout multiple times despite changing jobs or environments, suggesting deeper systemic issues within the industry. The culture within product management often fosters unrealistic expectations, leaving professionals feeling overworked but undervalued.
The Role of Leadership in Addressing Burnout
Leaders play a critical role in combating burnout by fostering an environment that encourages open communication and support. Regular check-ins with team members to discuss workloads and well-being can help identify stressors early on. Leaders facing pressure from upper management while trying to support their teams often experience burnout themselves, making it essential for self-care alongside team care. By recognizing and addressing these issues, leaders can create healthier work cultures that prioritize mental health.
Factors Contributing to Burnout
Two primary factors contribute to burnout: personal pressure to excel and external organizational demands. High achievers and perfectionists are particularly vulnerable, as they set incredibly high standards for themselves within an already fast-paced environment. Toxic work cultures amplifying these stresses further exacerbate the situation, with many individuals feeling overwhelmed and unsupported. Addressing these underlying causes through clearer communication, realistic expectations, and promoting a supportive culture can significantly alleviate burnout symptoms.
Burnout is a silent adversary that many of us face, and this week, we're joined by Evie Brockwell, a seasoned product consultant and coach who has faced this challenge head-on during her time at Booking.com. We unpack why burnout is alarmingly prevalent among product professionals and explore practical strategies for prevention and recovery, emphasising the importance of wellbeing in our professional lives.
Featured Links: Follow Evie on LinkedIn | Evie's burnout stats | Support each other at ProductTank
Our Hosts Lily Smith enjoys working as a consultant product manager with early-stage and growing startups and as a mentor to other product managers. She’s currently Chief Product Officer at BBC Maestro, and has spent 13 years in the tech industry working with startups in the SaaS and mobile space. She’s worked on a diverse range of products – leading the product teams through discovery, prototyping, testing and delivery. Lily also founded ProductTank Bristol and runs ProductCamp in Bristol and Bath.
Randy Silver is a Leadership & Product Coach and Consultant. He gets teams unstuck, helping you to supercharge your results. Randy's held interim CPO and Leadership roles at scale-ups and SMEs, advised start-ups, and been Head of Product at HSBC and Sainsbury’s. He participated in Silicon Valley Product Group’s Coaching the Coaches forum, and speaks frequently at conferences and events. You can join one of communities he runs for CPOs (CPO Circles), Product Managers (Product In the {A}ether) and Product Coaches. He’s the author of What Do We Do Now? A Product Manager’s Guide to Strategy in the Time of COVID-19. A recovering music journalist and editor, Randy also launched Amazon’s music stores in the US & UK.
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