A reflective piece on experiencing burnout as a Black nursery manager; recognising its signs, overcoming challenges, and fostering inclusivity and equity while prioritising mental health and sharing strategies for recovery, inclusivity, and equitable leadership practices.

Read Lorraine’s article here:

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/my-experience-with-burnout-as-a-black-manager/

If you enjoyed this episode you might also want to listen to and read:

Leaving Teaching: Dear Teaching…It’s you, not me –

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/contributors/eva-kyriacou-anastasi/

Educator burnout: Is this sustainable? –

https://thevoiceofearlychildhood.com/teacher-burnout/

Episode break down:

00:00 – What is burnout? 04:00 – Burnout from a Black perspective 06:20 – Racism and subconscious bias 10:30 – ‘I don’t see colour’ 14:30 – Communities and safe spaces 17:30 – A mentor that looks and sounds like me 20:00 – Tokenistic gestures 25:00 – A people first approach in business 28:00 – Support for Black leaders 30:00 – Open feedback loops 32:30 – Taking accountability 35:45 – Putting a name to how you are feeling 38:20 – Identifying burnout before it’s too late 43:00 – Taking sick days for feeling run down 44:45 – Challenging mental health stigmas 46:00 – Setting boundaries and prioritising self-care 48:00 – Delegating responsibilities 49:40 – Promoting a culture of open communication 52:00 – Celebrating small wins and reducing self-blame 52:45 – The power of positive affirmations 54:10 – Helping someone out of burnout: Empathy first 55:40 – Fostering trust in your team and business 56:45 – Policies offering real support 59:00 – Key takeaways

For more episodes and articles visit The Voice of Early Childhood website: https://www.thevoiceofearlychildhood.com

My experience with burnout as a Black manager 01:11:12 Share

The Voice of Early Childhood

What is Burnout?

Burnout from a Black Perspective

Racism and Subconscious Bias

‘I Don’t See Colour’

Communities and Safe Spaces

A Mentor That Looks and Sounds Like Me

Tokenistic Gestures

A People First Approach in Business

Support for Black Leaders

Open Feedback Loops and Taking Accountability

Putting a Name to How You Are Feeling and Identifying Burnout

Taking Sick Days for Feeling Run Down and Challenging Mental Health Stigmas

Setting Boundaries and Prioritising Self-Care

Delegating Responsibilities and Promoting Open Communication

Celebrating Small Wins and Reducing Self-Blame

The Power of Positive Affirmations

Helping Someone Out of Burnout: Empathy First

Fostering Trust in Your Team and Business

Policies Offering Real Support

Key Takeaways

Shownotes Transcript

My experience with burnout as a Black manager