Mission-Driven Work: A “Perfect Storm” for Burnout

Our social safety net depends on the nonprofit workforce, but many social impact professionals struggle to sustain their work.

In his book Blessed Unrest, Paul Hawken calls the nonprofit sector:

“Humanity’s immune response to toxins like political corruption, economic disease, and ecological degradation.”

Burnout in the Social Impact Sector

The social impact sector, consisting of nonprofits, activist and community organizations, and social entrepreneurs, fills critical gaps left, and created, by government and for-profit entities. Professional working in social impact are addressing the most urgent issues of our times, often to the detriment of their own physical, mental and financial health, their relationships and overall wellbeing.

Lack of funding and resources, the emotionally draining nature of the work, few advancement opportunities and relatively low compensation, professionals in the social impact sector are at high risk of burnout with 60% reporting feeling “used up” at the end of the day (Independent Sector., 2022). Marginalized individuals, including women, are at greater risk of burnout due to social inequities, and make up the majority of the nonprofit workforce in the U.S.

The term “burnout” was first coined for the social sector.

The term “burnout” was first coined in the 1970s by American psychologist, Herbert Freudenberger to describe high stress and exhaustion combined with “high ideals in helping professions” (IQWiG, 2020). Burnout researcher at UC Berkeley, Dr. Christina Maslach, describes burnout as “crushing exhaustion” a chronic depletion of one's coping resources, which may include emotional exhaustion, physical tiredness and mental weariness.

The nonprofit sector makes up more than 10% of the U.S. workforce, with a majority identifying as women (Independent Sector., 2022). Women and marginalized groups experience burnout more frequently and intensely due to external factors including past experiences with trauma, socioeconomic factors, family responsibilities, and ongoing hostility and discrimination from society and culture (Beauregard et al., 2018; Purvanova & Muros, 2010).  And, White workplace norms can create toxic culture, which can be especially detrimental to marginalized people (Kanter, March 2023). 

While pursuing meaning in life is critical to wellbeing, meaningful work can be a “double-edged sword” (Kanter & Sherman, 2016) that can lead to overwork, lack of boundaries, over-identification with work and a mindset of “moral duty” (Oelberger, 2019). Identifying strongly with one’s work can lead to lack of autonomy, overwork and eventual burnout.

Professionals in the social impact sector are “distinctly vulnerable” to burnout due to often lacking adequate resources and tools available to do their work, combined with a marginalized workforce, low pay and the urgent and emotionally draining nature of their work. A sense of "moral duty" can lead to overwork and willingness to accept low pay and difficult work conditions. 

Being chronically burnout can lead to lower quality of life and mental health issues including depression and anxiety, sleep disturbances and physiological reactions that can increase risk for chronic illness. In addition to the impacts and long-term implications for individuals, burnout hurts organizations and the sector’s important work.  

Wellbeing

It is said that wellbeing can be achieved through both hedonic and eudaimonic pursuits. Research indicates that the combination of both lead to the highest levels of wellbeing.

The hedonic perspective of wellbeing posits that maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain brings about happiness. Conversely, Aristotle’s eudaimonic view proposes the pursuit of virtue and meaning through justice, kindness, courage, and honesty as the pathway to wellbeing (Henderson & Knight, 2012).

Individuals working in the social impact space may lean strongly or exclusively towards eudaimonic pursuits, which, if not balanced with hedonic pursuits, may lead to burnout.

Common factors across several wellbeing theories include the need for purpose or meaning in life, environmental mastery (competence) and positive relationships (Cooke et al., 2016; Martela & Sheldon, 2019; Seligman, 2013). While social impact professionals can find deep purpose and meaning in their work, this can cause overwork and exhaustion, which impacts their feelings of competence and their ability to maintain positive relationships.

Play, Rest and Restore

Rest, often hard to come by, is essential to wellbeing. Without restorative time and play to balance work and effort, over time burnout is inevitable. Author and Stanford professor, Greg McKeown, cites play as an essential activity with significant positive effects including improved brain plasticity, adaptability and creativity.

If we are not resting and caring for ourselves, body, mind and spirit, we damage the tool we need to make our highest contributions. (McKeown, 2014)

Key Takeaways

• Burnout is prevalent in the social impact sector.

• Burnout has significant negative impacts on mental and physical health and quality of life of individuals, and their critical work.

• Professionals in the social impact sector often find deep meaning in their work and hold it as a central part of their identities. 

• Purpose-driven identity and commitment can lead to overwork and willingness to accept low pay and difficult work conditions. 

• Social impact work is often emotionally demanding, and programs under-resourced, leaving social impact professionals particularly vulnerable to burnout. 

• Support for individuals is critical, but only part of the equation.

• Change must occur within organizations, the sector, culture and society to significantly reduce burnout in this important sector.

In future posts, I will focus on creating space for rest and play, and how doing so increases your impact and efficacy, along with your wellbeing. How do we develop the self-compassion and self-awareness to set boundaries and ask for support?

Follow along here as I share my findings from research and interviews, and provide ideas and inspiration for increasing your wellbeing while making your impact. (Sign-up for newsletters or follow me on LinkedIn and Facebook)

Are you a mission-driven professional needing support with work-life balance, boundaries and creating your longterm vision? I help clients pursue their dreams, missions and ambitions while prioritizing their own wellbeing. Sign up for a complimentary consultation with me here.