Working Women Face Higher Burnout Than Men, New Book ‘This Isn’t Working’ Finds

Introduction to Burnout Among Professional Women

Burnout among professional women is rising faster than it is for men, says leadership expert Meghan French Dunbar in her new book. Backed by data, the book explores how systemic workplace culture harms women’s well-being—and how fixing it can improve outcomes for everyone. There are research-backed, proven systemic reasons that women are struggling more in the workplace, according to French Dunbar. She has now written the book about it—what those reasons are, and what can be done about it.

The Problem of Burnout

It’s a problem that many women find themselves in: by any measure, French Dunbar was successful, but behind the scenes, she was struggling. Though she was “doing everything right,” she didn’t feel right. The pressure was too much; she had burned out. She resigned as CEO of the organization she founded on February 1, 2020. Her last day was March 13—and then COVID-19 struck. “I was such a high achiever and had been so conditioned to ‘This is what success is, and that’s what worth is,’” she tells me over Zoom. “And COVID just stripped me of that.”

Why Women Are Burning Out Faster Than Men

French Dunbar writes in the book that there are a disproportionate amount of women experiencing burnout and stress. “Working women’s well-being is declining faster than men’s, regardless of whether they have children,” she notes in the book. An estimated 43 percent of women report feeling burned out, compared to 31 percent of men at the same level. Women’s symptoms of depression significantly increase as their authority increases, she further points out, while symptoms of depression in men tend to decrease. On Zoom, she further accentuates the statistic that 75 percent of high-performing women receive negative feedback, as opposed to 2 percent of men.

The Hidden Cost of Achievement Addiction

French Dunbar had been in what she calls “the hamster wheel of achievement addiction” for a very long time, and the walls eventually crumbled down around her. “I was so burned out and so miserable that I had to walk away from my own company that I loved,” she says. “And that is a very common story that I hear, is pushing yourself so far until people are hospitalized or having breakdowns, having panic attacks and then going to work the next day being like, ‘That’s totally normal. Everyone around me is having panic attacks. It’s totally fine.’” Spoiler alert: it’s not totally fine. The book teaches readers a new way forward, one that, when everyone—including and especially women—in the workplace feels better, it actually improves the company’s performance.

A New Blueprint for Leadership and Work Culture

The first step, she tells me, is admitting there’s a problem and that the current work culture that society has isn’t okay. Check. The book takes readers through what to do next. “Your stress, your overwhelm, your exhaustion, your burnout—that is not on you,” French Dunbar says. “That’s not a you problem. It’s a cultural problem of the way that we’re doing business.” But, she adds, “It can be done in such a better way. There are extraordinary humans who have already done this and have already written the blueprint.” That blueprint makes up the pages of the book. Above all else, French Dunbar says? When readers close the book, no matter how burned out or exhausted or overwhelmed they are, she wants this to be made clear: “There is hope,” she says.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the book provides a comprehensive look at the issues facing working women and offers a new blueprint for leadership and work culture. By understanding the systemic reasons for burnout and how to address them, women can overcome stress, guilt, and overload to find true success. The book is a must-read for anyone looking to create a healthier and more sustainable work environment.

FAQs

Q: What is the main topic of the book?
A: The main topic of the book is the decline of working women’s well-being and how to address it.
Q: What is the percentage of women who report feeling burned out?
A: An estimated 43 percent of women report feeling burned out.
Q: What is the difference between performance goals and learning goals?
A: Performance goals are focused on achieving a specific outcome, while learning goals are focused on gaining knowledge and experience.
Q: What is the first step in addressing burnout?
A: The first step is admitting that there is a problem and that the current work culture is not okay.
Q: What is the ultimate message of the book?
A: The ultimate message of the book is that there is hope for creating a better work environment and overcoming burnout.