Reflections on LTGEN John Frewen: How to Recover From Burnout

Leadership and Wellbeing

When I sat down for an interview with Lieutenant General John Frewen, I had no idea the profound impact his story would have on me and my listeners. His willingness to share his personal experiences and the lessons he learned from them was truly humbling. In this episode, I want to go deeper into some of the key insights he shared and explore the research and evidence behind them. I also seek to provide practical tips for implementing these lessons and building new habits to support our well-being.

John spoke about the importance of taking care of ourselves, even in high-pressure and demanding situations. This raises an important question about social norms and the concept of effort recovery. As leaders, it is essential to be aware of the existing norms and reflect on whether we want to follow them or make a different decision that prioritises our well-being and the well-being of our teams.

To better understand the concept of effort recovery, I explored the effort recovery model described by Meijman & Mulder in 1998. This model suggests that after intense periods of effort, we need to build in recovery time. This recovery can occur on a daily, weekly, and yearly basis. Taking short breaks throughout the day, week, and year can help maintain performance and prevent a significant decline in productivity. It's not about working hard for a long time and then having a longer break; it's about regular, shorter breaks for better recovery.

John also shared a compelling story from his time in the Solomon Islands, where he recognised the importance of taking action to prevent burnout. Taking care of your well-being before reaching the point of burnout is crucial. Establishing a strong baseline of physical, mental, and emotional fitness can help you bounce back more effectively during challenging times. Leaders, in particular, need to prioritise self-care and surround themselves with a supportive network that fosters both personal and professional well-being.

Self-awareness emerged as a central theme throughout my conversation with John. It is the foundation for taking care of ourselves and making positive changes. The concept of self-awareness can be traced back to ancient philosopher Socrates, who famously said, "Know thyself." Increasing self-awareness requires us to pause, reflect, and understand our thoughts, emotions, and behaviours. Seeking feedback and being open to receiving it is another way to enhance our self-awareness. Truly listening and understanding feedback, even when it's not easy to hear, can lead to personal growth and self-improvement.

Lieutenant General John Frewen's insights on recovering from burnout and prioritising well-being resonate deeply. By challenging social norms, implementing the effort recovery model, seeking support, dealing with trauma, and cultivating self-awareness, we can foster personal and professional growth. Let us take inspiration from John's story and make a conscious effort to prioritise our well-being and the well-being of those around us.

RESOURCES MENTIONED:

Thanks for the Feedback - Book

Recovery Method - Meijman & Mulder

Atlas of The Heart

Connect with Hayden:

Websites: - https://haydenfricke.com/

- https://www.steople.com.au/

- APS College of Organisational Psychologists

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/hayden-fricke/