High-performing employees can be particularly susceptible to workplace burnout while remaining difficult to detect, according to Dr. Fawaz Alkhateeb, a lawyer, legal strategist, and executive educator based in Kuwait. Alkhateeb cautions that these individuals often continue delivering results despite increasing exhaustion, until they suddenly reach a point of breakdown.
Burnout, he emphasized, differs significantly from ordinary fatigue following a busy period. Instead, it occurs when sustained workplace pressures extend beyond what rest and recovery can alleviate. Early signs to watch for include dwindling patience, loss of interest in previously enjoyed tasks, difficulties with concentration, and a paradoxical rise in working hours coupled with declining productivity.
Drawing from his legal background, Alkhateeb highlighted potential risks when burnout is overlooked. Mental fatigue can lead to missed details, poor judgment, or emotional responses where clear thinking is critical. He framed recognizing burnout as a professional responsibility rather than a sign of weakness.
Contrary to common misconceptions, Alkhateeb identified the root causes of burnout as prolonged effort without sufficient clarity, support, or a feeling of progress. He pointed to shifting priorities, unrealistic deadlines, understaffing, and employees’ inability to refuse additional work or seek help as driving factors. A lack of acknowledgment for effort can further exacerbate strain, whereas employees tend to cope better when they perceive their work as purposeful and recognized.
Alkhateeb advises employees to identify specific stressors and engage in open dialogue with managers to prioritize tasks, delegate responsibilities, and set realistic deadlines. He underscored the importance of clarity, citing leadership expert Brian Tracy’s principle that if all tasks are urgent, true prioritization is absent. Emphasizing what individuals can control, such as their responses and requests for support, helps maintain agency amid overwhelming circumstances. However, he noted this personal responsibility should not translate into blaming workers for systemic issues.
Managers also play a critical role in detecting and addressing burnout. Changes in behavior, such as increased irritability, withdrawal, or mistakes, may signal a problem. Remote work and digital connectivity can mask these shifts, as employees often conceal their struggles while remaining constantly available through messaging apps and email. Alkhateeb recommended managers initiate simple check-ins to offer support and adjust workloads if needed. He stressed that while periods of intense work may be unavoidable, persistent high pressure should not define workplace norms.
In Kuwait, the blending of professional and personal life is intensifying due to digital devices and applications that maintain constant connectivity. Alkhateeb recounted his own experience limiting notifications and setting specific times to check messages, reducing distractions. He warned against equating visible activity or constant online presence with actual productivity.
He encouraged employers to assess whether extended working hours are essential or stem from inefficiencies like excessive meetings and shifting instructions. Alkhateeb also warned against employers invoking “family” culture to demand unlimited availability, noting that hours spent at work should remain respectful and purposeful.
Recognizing the challenge of disconnecting after work, Alkhateeb shared lessons learned from his wife, Nouf Alasfour, a facilitator and trainer, who advocates for genuine rest through detaching from work-related tasks and digital devices. He suggested engaging in prayer, meditation, hobbies, or quality time with loved ones to recharge. Without such boundaries, individuals risk losing connection with their work and personal lives.
Ultimately, Alkhateeb underscored that preventing burnout does not require reduced ambition but rather learning when to fully dedicate attention to work and when to focus on life outside the office. “Success should never cost us the people and the life we are working so hard for,” he concluded.