Ask any business owner and they will tell you the same thing; running a business is hard. It’s stressful and time-consuming, but also hugely rewarding. However, if you’re doing too much, those rewards become less and less obvious. Before you know it, running a business isn’t as rewarding as it once was, and the joy you get out of being a business owner fades away. When this happens, there’s a chance that you’re experiencing business owner burnout.
What is Business Owner Burnout?
There’s nothing easy about being a business owner. There’s always something to be doing, someone to be meeting, customers to be talking to and deals to be making. That’s before you even factor in the day-to-day admin of sending emails, returning phone calls, paying wages and hosting meetings. All of this can lead to burnout, which is a state of stress that leads to emotional and physical exhaustion. For business owners, burnout builds up slowly, over the course of weeks, months and even years.
The Symptoms of Burnout
- Constant tiredness, feeling fatigued even after resting
- Loss of enthusiasm or passion for business ventures
- Difficulty making decisions and solving problems
- Feeling disconnected from your team, business or projects
- Neglecting your personal life and wellbeing, not having a work-life balance
If business owner burnout isn’t addressed, it can impact more than just your happiness, mood and day-to-day enjoyment of running a business. It can also impact the wider business, including preventing growth, poor customer experiences and unhappy employees.
What Causes Business Owner Burnout?
There are a lot of things that cause business owner burnout, and it’s something founders in all industries are at risk of. As a business owner, you’re expected to make important decisions, manage multiple teams, solve problems and plan for the future of the business. Whilst doing this, you also need to make sure the business is profitable. This adds up to a lot of pressure over time, which is when business owner burnout can set in.
Key Causes of Business Owner Burnout
- You’re Wearing Too Many Hats – As a business owner, you’re expected to be everything, to everyone. You’re the founder, but you’re also part of HR, sales, operations, customer support and more. If you’re not able to delegate, you run the risk of having too much to do, which takes your time away from more important, valuable tasks.
- You’re Constantly Making Decisions – Trust us, decision fatigue is real. Business founders make a lot of decisions, big and small, throughout the day. You probably make some without even realising. Without strong leadership support, every decision ends up on your desk, which becomes stressful when everything builds up.
- You’re Scared to Let Go – It’s not uncommon for business owners to worry that delegating responsibilities will result in a loss of control or a drop in work quality. That fear often leads to micromanagement or hesitation to hire experienced help, meaning everything’s on your plate.
- You Lack Strategy Time – Building a business requires a lot of strategic thinking, but what happens if you don’t have the time to think strategically? When everything feels urgent, and you’re constantly trying to keep on top of day-to-day tasks, you don’t have the time to get anything strategic done.
- You’re Experiencing Emotional Isolation – Being a business owner can be lonely. You’re at the top, handling a lot yourself, without an equal partner to rely on. Without a trusted peer to share challenges, doubts or wins, stress builds and eventually leads to business owner burnout.
The Impact of Burnout on Your Business
Business owner burnout doesn’t just impact you as an individual, it can also have a negative impact on your business. When a business’ founder is struggling, there’s a lot less innovation, experimentation and creativity. The focus is on keeping the business going, rather than growing and evolving. There’s also a risk of ineffective leadership, as emotional fatigue makes it harder for you to lead teams with clarity or empathy. Business owner burnout can also lead to operational issues, especially if the business is too dependent on you. When the founder is the only person who knows how to do something, everything slows down. Strategic opportunities are missed because there’s no time or energy to pursue them.
How Fractional Executives Help Business Founders Avoid Burnout
A fractional executive is an experienced leader who works with your business on a part-time, contract, flexible or retainer basis. They often take on roles like COO, CFO and CMO, and they’re there to lighten your load. Unlike consultants, fractional execs don’t just advise, they lead and get stuck in. They become part of your business, bringing leadership and guidance without the cost of a full-time hire. As a founder, the idea of handing off responsibility can be scary, especially if you’ve done everything yourself so far. But, the right fractional executive will help, without you having to lose control.
They Take On High Level Work, Not Just Basic Tasks
Fractional executives don’t just handle basic tasks, administration and the minor things that you’re struggling to keep on top of. They take over entire functions and projects, ranging from building systems and processes, to managing internal teams, making decisions with your oversight and driving strategic initiatives forward. They even keep large projects on track. There’s no need for you to be involved in every little thing, but you still have the freedom to guide the vision and have an impact.
They Bring Experience You Can Trust
Fractional executives are senior leaders who’ve seen it all, in all different industries. They’ve led teams, scaled businesses, solved unexpected crises and managed growth, for all different types of business. You don’t need to train them or micromanage them, as they have experience you can trust. Once they’re on board, you can step back and they’ll hit the ground running.
They Add Value Without Increasing Overheads
With so much experience and expertise, it’s no wonder executives are expensive to hire. But, fractional executives bring the same experience, knowledge and insight, without the cost. There’s no need to commit to a contract, pay a full-time wage or organise employee benefits. It’s an excellent way of adding value to your business, without increasing overheads.
They Give You Room to Breathe
Once a fractional executive is in place, you’ll notice the difference almost immediately. With major functions covered and an experienced leader helping out, you’ll have space to think strategically, rest, reconnect with your passion for the industry, and focus on the tasks that only you can do. You’ll have room to breathe, which often brings back your energy, creativity and genuine enjoyment for running a business.
They Stop the Business Being Too Dependent on You
One of the most beneficial things about working with fractional executives is that they help to create a business that runs without founder dependence. This makes the business healthier, more scalable, and more attractive to investors. It’s important that your business can be successful even in your absence. You shouldn’t be the only person who knows how processes work. If you’re out of action for whatever reason, there’s a risk of the business grinding to a halt until you return.
Business owner burnout isn’t a way to show that you’re working hard. It’s not something to be proud of. It doesn’t mean you’re successful. It’s a warning sign that something needs to change, and that starts with surrounding yourself with the right people. Fractional executives free up your time, bring expert leadership into your business, and give you the space to lead effectively once again. You might be the founder of the business, but you don’t need to do it all. Fractional execs are on hand to help, and you have the flexibility to ensure the setup works for you.
Find out how Profici helps founders step back without stepping out.
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