Having weathered multiple high-stakes industries where time is of the essence and the stakes are high, I’ve learned a few key strategies to minimizing team burnout. 1. Optimize Your Team: Know Your Players: Identify your team members and assign roles that maximize their potential. Harness Inspirational Leadership: Empower individuals who can uplift morale and keep focus. 2. Prioritize Well-being: Micro-Breaks: Encourage short, frequent breaks to recharge. 10-15 minute can significantly boost productivity and morale. Strategic Scheduling: Rotate team members to prevent exhaustion and maintain peak performance. 3. Fuel Your Team! Provide easy access to a variety of snacks and beverages. A well-fed and hydrated team is a more effective one.

Everyone needs a little down time, the team works hard every day, I find having a unplanned, informal team meeting/ debrief over bagels mid-week helps. Also on blue sky days allowing the team to "get out on the road" to break up the day helps when you have been pounding away at the keyboard for hours. We call it a "Flood Gauge Check"!

Although I do not have an emergency team, burnout can still be imminent with the team I manage due to long hours and patient loads. Some of the steps I implement as a manager to alleviate burnout are: 1. Block off time for administrative work (For maybe an hour each day) 2. Never push trainings or meetings during lunch. That is valuable time for them and what they'd like to do, whether it's self-care, a quick workout, or catching up with their own work. This time is non-negotiable. 3. Establish more autonomy with patient schedules. Reduce micro-management. 4. Have open discussions and actively listen to your team. 5. Recieve feedback and collaborate with your team on how to alleviate any issues that may arise.

To keep an emergency team at their best amidst signs of fatigue and burnout, it's essential to prioritize their well-being by implementing a structured support system. This includes regular breaks to recharge, flexible scheduling to allow for adequate rest, and opportunities for team members to express their concerns and feelings. Providing access to mental health resources, such as counseling and stress management workshops, can also bolster resilience. Recognizing and celebrating their hard work through team-building activities and appreciation initiatives fosters a sense of camaraderie and motivation. By creating a supportive environment that values both their physical and emotional health, you can enhance their performance.

I think it is critical to assure that every member of the team has at least one backup person. No one can function effectively for days on end during a crisis or emergency. Cross training and regular exercises can help assure that everyone knows their role in an emergency and can back one another up.