4 Ways to Recognize Burnout at Work Through Personality Changes
Burnout rarely arrives suddenly. In most cases, it develops quietly, hiding behind small but meaningful changes in personality, behavior, and emotional reactions. Many people dismiss these changes as temporary stress, fatigue, or “just a bad week at work.” However, research shows that burnout is a long-term psychological response to chronic workplace stress and should not be ignored. According to the World Health Organization, burnout is characterized by emotional exhaustion, mental distancing from work, and reduced professional effectiveness. While physical symptoms such as fatigue are widely recognized, personality changes are often the earliest and most telling warning signs . This evergreen guide explains four key ways to recognize burnout at work through changes in character , helping individuals, managers, and organizations identify the problem early and take preventive action. 1. Increased Irritability and Emotional Reactivity One of the earliest sig...