"Without the people, there is no company." - Janice Litvin

Burnout is often framed as a personal problem to solve.

Practice more self-care.

Set better boundaries.

Become more resilient.

In this conversation, burnout prevention expert, speaker, and author Janice Litvin joins me to explore why burnout is a two-way street between people and organizations.

We discuss how leaders can create healthier, more sustainable workplaces while navigating AI, increasing workloads, and constant change.

Janice shares her journey from tech recruiting during the 2008 financial crisis to becoming a leading voice in burnout prevention.

Together, we unpack the role of emotional intelligence, the importance of psychological safety, and why the "glue skills" that build trust and connection may become even more valuable in the years ahead.

If you're leading a team, navigating uncertainty, or simply trying to stay grounded in a rapidly changing world, this conversation offers practical tools and an important reminder: people are still at the heart of every successful organization.

Moments Worth Pausing For:

5:10 || Burnout Is a Two-Way Street

Burnout isn't just an employee problem. Janice explains why organizations, leaders, and workplace systems play a significant role in either preventing or contributing to burnout.

10:50 || The Power of Glue Skills

As AI reshapes the workplace, human skills like connection, trust, communication, and emotional intelligence become even more valuable. These "glue skills" help teams thrive and can't be automated.

12:10 || What the CMU Recruiting Story Reveals

Janice shared the story of a talented CMU engineering candidate who never interacted with a human during the hiring process(!) A powerful reminder that technology should enhance human connection, not replace it.

18:00 | Pause Before You React

Janice's STOP framework, a cousin to Pause:
Stop. Take a Breath. Observe. Proceed.

A simple practice that helps us respond thoughtfully instead of reacting impulsively when stress levels rise.

21:40 | Psychological Safety Starts with Leadership

Leaders can help prevent burnout by creating environments where employees feel safe speaking up, asking for help, sharing feedback, and bringing their full selves to work.

Key Takeaways

The future of work isn't just about technology, it's about how we lead people through change.

The organizations that thrive won't simply adopt the latest tools. They'll create cultures where people feel supported, valued, and connected. As Janice reminds us, caring for people isn't separate from business success. It's a critical part of it.

Watch the Video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kj4Xcli_CYA&t=11s