Scientists Identified a Hidden Cause of Workplace Burnout

Research with employees, managers, and bosses has revealed a potential remedy for people who feel increasingly tired, disconnected and dissatisfied on the job as the week advances. Studies found that a likely solution to that condition is for professionals to simply stop forcing emotional reactions they think are expected in workplace situations — and cease feigning perkiness and pep when their batteries are actually running low.

Two different clinical trials conducted by the EM Lyon Business School in France established the draining, at times debilitating effects of what researchers called surface acting. That involves employees and business leaders either adopting emotional responses to what they believe are required of them in workplace settings, or quashing the display of sincere feelings they fear may not be professionally well received. It turns out all that careful adjusting and censorship of internal reactions on the job often proves to be exhausting.

"The researchers say that this 'surface acting' creates a scientifically proven exhaustion loop that drains the very resources necessary to function well in interpersonal environments," a summary of the study explained. "As a result, cognitive capacity declines, authenticity erodes and team trust suffers in ways that makes engaging in leadership more difficult in the future."

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