Burnout

Why we picked it: What if your team could plan ahead to avoid burnout? That's what this book promises, through an effective set of practices coined "proactive resilience." According to psychologist and leadership coach Dr. Jacinta Jiménez, it is impossible to simply will your way through problems consistently. Rather, she uses science-backed research to argue that resilience can be trained like a muscle before you really need it. With The Burnout Fix, your team can acquire the skills necessary to power through even the toughest issues with increased mental stamina. 

Why we picked it: Can’t Even centers around a bold premise: the current wave of workforce burnout is largely a generational problem. Blogger and academic Anne Helen Petersen makes a strong case that this issue, which she dubs "systemic burnout," disproportionately affects Millennials. Substantiating this claim with research surrounding work culture, social media, and key factors unique to kids growing up in the 90s and after, Petersen calls for leadership awareness and top-down policy changes. 

Why we picked it: Accomplished academics, sisters Emily and Amelia Nagoski team up in this groundbreaking guide covering burnout from A to Z. This audiobook emphasizes stress residue, a common phenomenon wherein stress responses linger long after the stressor is gone, creating a perpetual cycle of anxiety and defensiveness. The Nagoskis provide a holistic look, effectively describing how burnout affects men and women differently. This listen offers a safe space to discuss how these issues may be influencing you and your team in the workplace. 

Why we picked it: If your team needs a change in perspective, Dying for a Paycheck may be an enlightening listen. In this audiobook, behavior researcher Jeffrey Pfeffer diagnoses the many anti-employee systems that are endemic to most modern workplaces. These subtle forces of occupational harm often go completely unnoticed yet can cause untold damage to morale and team relationships. Take advantage of the advice in Dying for a Paycheck to make your workplace a more positive, sustainable environment. 

Why we picked it: According to social psychologist Dr. Devon Price, nobody is inherently unmotivated, and everyone is sitting on a well of potential. In Laziness Does Not Exist, Price unfolds "barrier theory," the hypothesis that there is always something tangible in the way of unlocking the door to self-actualization. Rather than dwelling on self-doubt, Price encourages listeners to search for this blockage to achieve maximum potential and satisfaction in the workplace and beyond.  

Why we picked it: Ditch your FOMO with The Joy of Missing Out. In this listen, productivity expert and inkWELL Press CEO Tanya Dalton makes a case for saying no, through a process she calls "priority clarity." When mastered, this mental framework can be used to weigh experiences against energy to make the best use of one’s time, creating a positive feedback loop that pays dividends. Share this empowering work with your team to increase morale and give employees the tools to value mental health over social obligation. 

Why we picked it: In Overworked and Overwhelmed, executive coach Scott Eblin tackles concepts of burnout as they relate specifically to the workforce. Keying in on managers and executives, Eblin recommends practicing regular mindful reflection, or what he dubs "micro-mindfulness," to keep everything on track. As Eblin asserts, a constant drive towards self-awareness and positive habits do more for productivity and team satisfaction than any high-level executive program ever could. 

Why we picked it: If your body is protesting a decision you made, do you listen? Medical doctor and mental health expect Gabor Maté argues you should, citing mountains of research and clinical experience surrounding the connection between mind and body. In this book, Maté explores what he calls mind-body-suppression, or the idea that the body expresses discomfort and pain when the mind refuses to. Through Maté’s recommended therapy style, learn how to treat your mind and body with a sense of positivity and acceptance, which he argues will result in better outcomes for both. 

Why we picked it: Viral therapist and relationship expert Nedra Glover Tawwab thinks we are all lacking boundaries. According to her experience, modern society has slowly deconstructed any sense of personal space between individuals, resulting in a serious overexposure towards one another. In Set Boundaries, Find Peace, she unpacks this “boundary deficit” as it affects modern society, from the permeation of social media to the fear of loneliness and willful overextension at the cost of mental health. This listen will help you and your team understand these new social structures and, hopefully, reclaim some personal boundaries. 

Why we picked it: Silicon Valley consultant Alex Soojung-Kim Pang recognizes hustle culture for the scam that it is. In today’s world of 12-hour workdays, intense workout regimens, and crazy dieting trends, he sees nothing but diminishing returns. In Rest, Soojung-Kim Pang makes a claim that seems radical: rest is just as valuable as motion. He advocates for "active restoration," a research-backed mindfulness practice he developed to make the most out of one’s down time. With this listen, help your team win back their personal time, not just for the sake of productivity but for their best interest overall.