The crises of the past four years have sapped the strength of many employees, says coach and consultant Joachim Pawlik. How employees can reactivate themselves – and why more empathy is needed from managers.
Mr. Pawlik, you conducted a survey among Germany’s employees to determine their willingness and performance. What motivated you to do this?
We advise and coach around 40,000 people every year, from ordinary employees to managers and bosses. In the past few months, one topic has cropped up in almost every conversation: people are exhausted.
What are you up to?
At the end of the year there are often discussions about upcoming projects. Normally it’s like: Next year we’ll try ten percent more. And although 2023 went well again for many companies, the motto now is: No, not another ten percent more, we can’t do that.
Do you have an explanation for this defensiveness?
The first reason is always: The year was so strenuous, we can’t do it anymore. That’s why we wanted to know why many people have this feeling of exhaustion.
Are employees or managers more likely to report this?
This goes across all levels, in all industries.
That almost sounds like a collective burnout.
If we don’t change something, we might get there.
What is it that bothers people so much?
Source: Stern
