Preventing Burnout in Coaching and Leadership: Recovery, Systems, and Support
We believe that there is no algorithm for leadership. So we ask the world's great coaches how they do it. In this episode, Paul speaks with Dr. Gavin Weeks and Dr. Brendan Meany about burnout as an occupational phenomenon marked by prolonged exhaustion, cynicism or disengagement, and reduced felt effectiveness, often driven by stress, lack of control, weak support, and high-performance pressure. They discuss how burnout spreads through an organization via a leader’s “vibes,” eroding trust, cohesion, and productivity, and how presenteeism and obsessive passion can worsen it. Key lessons include building systems and guardrails that normalize recovery, delegating to trusted staff, planning for setbacks, developing clear leadership identity and values, seeking mentors, increasing self-awareness under stress, and practicing self-forgiveness and repair to sustain high performance. If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com and if you would like to receive our newsletter with 5 ideas to help you improve your leadership, then sign up at: https://thegreatcoaches.beehiiv.com/subscribe
I am joined for the discussion by Dr Gavin Weeks. Gavin is a Doctor of Psychology and Associate Fellow at Oxford Sayyid Business School and director of innovation and development at the consultancy Thompson Harrison.
And Dr Brendan Meany. Brendan Meany is a Certified Mental Performance Consultant and His work focuses on implementing high-performance skills to optimize human potential in both sport and the corporate space. He is also the Chief Performance Officer of LiveFirstAI.com, he applies sport
psychology principles that manage burnout and elevate functioning.
If you would like to send us any feedback or if you know a great coach, who has a unique story to share, then we would love to hear from you, please contact us at paul@thegreatcoachespodcast.com or contact us through our website thegreatcoachespodcast.com
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