A few weeks ago, I came across an online post arguing that millennials are the generation most likely to burn out. It got me thinking…and honestly had me a little concerned.
Concerned for millennials for sure.
But also concerned that we feel the need to rank who’s burning out the fastest or the hardest—like burnout is some sort of competition.
Because folks, here’s what I’m seeing: a lot of people, regardless of generation, are struggling right now. And they’re not struggling lightly.
Today, we’re living in what historian Adam Tooze calls a “polycrisis”- a cluster of interconnected, compounding macro-crises (think: geopolitical volatility, climate change, pandemics, economic instability, racism, the emergence of AI, layoffs, etc.).
It’s a lot to manage.
For everyone.
And each generation is carrying its own unique load:
- Gen Alpha is burning out after missing foundational years of social development during the pandemic. They’re now drowning in screen time, anxiety, and pressure.
- Gen Z/Millennials are burning out under debt, childcare responsibilities, and the realities of entering an intensely competitive and demanding workforce.
- Gen X is burning out after decades of grinding in the workplace, and is often sandwiched between supporting children and aging parents, while navigating complex, evolving senior roles with little formal leadership training and zero work/life balance.
- Boomers are burning out because retirements have been delayed (or aren’t what they thought they’d be), technology is overwhelming, and they’re navigating the daily stressors of aging.
I dug into the research, and here’s what I found:
- There isn’t much rigorous scientific research on generational burnout. We have theories, surveys, and think pieces—but it was hard to find deep, longitudinal, evidence-based research.
- There’s little value in arguing who’s “most” burnt out (unless you’re prioritizing support for a specific cohort inside your organization.)
- We all need more compassion, empathy, and humanity because today feels challenging for many folks.
But what was most scary to me?
AI is figuring this all out before we are, AND is creating an empathy gap between leaders and employees.
So, how can we create more empathetic business environments, schools and communities (using AI along the way)?
Here are a few places to start:
- Look at your culture.
- Are you openly discussing work styles, belonging, and trust?
- Are your leaders trustworthy, transparent, and operating with integrity?
- Do people feel psychologically safe to share concerns?
- Is feedback actually used and without retaliation or retribution?
- Evaluate your values and reward systems.
- Do you recognize not just what people achieve, but how they achieve it?
- Are decisions moral — not just profitable?
- Are non-empathetic behaviors addressed, not ignored?
- Are leaders celebrating both individual wins and team collaboration?
- Is peer-to-peer recognition encouraged?
- Invest in training.
- Are leaders explicitly trained in empathy, communication, and coaching?Do you have formal mentorship programs in place?
- Do leaders know how to spot and address behavior that lacks compassion?
- Solicit team feedback.
- Are you setting clear expectations?Are workloads sustainable?Are you offering reasonable flexibility?
- Are you creating opportunities for genuine personal connection?
- Are you giving people opportunities to learn and grow?
- Do team members feel respected? Valued?
Burnout isn’t a competition, a martyrdom prize, or a generational flaw.
It’s a signal – one that we shouldn’t ignore.
💡In a world of intersecting crises, the most powerful tools we have are human ones: empathy, compassion, and the willingness to build systems that support the people inside them.
I’m continuing to learn about resilience and burnout in real time–connecting dots across leadership, change management, coaching, behavior science and team dynamics. Whether you’re working on your own resilience, or you’re being asked to help your teams, your organizations or your loved ones get better and faster at bouncing back, adapting, and growing, join me as I continue to unpack these topics, and explore healthier ways we can work and lead together.
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Disclaimer: I am not a licensed therapist…just a voracious reader, leader, certified coach, and communications pro who is intensely curious about resilience and burnout and how it’s playing out in our workplaces and lives today. If you’re struggling with your mental health, please seek out a qualified professional.❤️
