Beating Burnout: The Modern Leader Podcast
The Modern Leader Podcast Featuring Guest Bill Fournet
I recently had the pleasure of joining David McLaughlin on The Modern Leader podcast for a powerful and deeply personal conversation on a topic that affects so many leaders and professionals: burnout.
In our discussion, I opened up about my own journey—how burnout shaped my career and ultimately led to the founding of The Persimmon Group. We explored practical strategies leaders can use to manage stress, support their teams, and build healthier, more resilient organizations.
Episode Highlights
[05:58] My personal career trajectory, including my early years, burnout experience, and founding of the Persimmon Group in 2004.[08:42] Discussion on the nature of change in organizations, emphasizing that “chaos is a choice,” and advice on managing uncertainty and disruption.
[09:31] What is burnout and the key differences between stress and burnout.
[12:44] Identifying signs of burnout such as disengagement, lack of joy, recurring illness, and decision fatigue.
[18:32] Discussion on the importance of fostering a positive organizational culture, emphasizing how transparency, trust, and open communication can lead to higher employee engagement and stronger team dynamics; also an introduction of my concept of “What Good Looks Like,” which serves as a framework for leaders to define and communicate clear expectations, model effective behaviors, and create an environment where individuals and teams can thrive.
[23:59] Key strategies for preventing burnout, including setting boundaries, creating intentional white space, and leveraging unstructured time efficiently.
[32:40] Importance of prioritization and delegation as critical skills for leaders to effectively combat burnout and empower teams.
[36:53] Productivity hacks, including the “Pomodoro Technique” for focused work and the concept of achieving “flow” to maximize mental performance.
[48:09] Introduction and details of my burnout eBook, which includes tools and techniques for leaders and employees to manage stress and improve time management. (You can download it here.)
These moments only scratch the surface of a wide-ranging and actionable conversation.
Watch the Full Episode Here
My Beating Burnout keynote and Beating Burnout workshop are designed to help leaders build resilience, boost engagement, and create a culture where people can truly thrive. Contact me today to learn more about how we can bring this transformative experience to your organization.
