6 Burnout Myths Training Activity for Workplace Wellbeing
Burnout continues to impact managers and teams across industries, but much of what people believe about it isn’t actually true. This interactive burnout awareness activity helps your participants separate myth from fact while setting the stage for more effective burnout prevention.
Why Burnout Myths Are So Harmful
Workplace burnout can affect any of us, no matter what our role or position in a company.
It can quietly erode team trust, reduce engagement, and lead to higher staff turnover.
When myths about burnout go unchallenged, they discourage people from speaking up, seeking help, or making systemic improvements.
Addressing these myths is a useful way in which to begin creating a psychologically safe, high-performing team culture.
What Are the Most Common Burnout Myths?
- Strong people do not burn out.
- Time management alone can prevent burnout.
- Burnout is just part of modern work life.
- Talking about burnout makes you look weak.
- Only incapable employees experience burnout.
- Self-care is the complete solution to burnout.
These widespread myths can prevent managers and employees from speaking up, seeking help, or addressing root causes.
Training Activity
Learning Objective
Enable participants to recognize and debunk harmful myths about burnout so they can lead or contribute to healthier team cultures.
How to Use This Activity
- Time needed: 10–15 minutes
- Delivery method: Project slide, print handout, or use live polling (Zoom, Mentimeter)
- Ideal for: Wellbeing programs, leadership workshops, HR training sessions
Bonus Tip: Use this activity before introducing the Burnout Prevention for Managers Training Kit to prime deeper learning.
Display this during your session and ask participants to decide if each statement is true or false.
>> PowerPoint Slide from the Managing Burnout Training Kit
Burnout Myth-Busting – Trainer Notes
1. “Strong people don’t burn out.”
False – Burnout affects even high performers, so it is not some flaw in your character. It is most often a sign of unsustainable conditions.
2. “Time management alone can’t prevent burnout.”
True – Burnout is often caused by systemic issues like lack of control or unclear expectations, not poor time use.
3. “Burnout is just part of modern work life.”
False – Burnout is preventable. Leaders and systems shape employee wellbeing, not just the modern world of work.
4. “Talking about burnout makes you look wea.k”
False – Open conversations build trust. Psychological safety starts when leaders model vulnerability.
5. “Burnout can affect anyone, no matter how capabl.e”
True – Capability isn’t protection. Burnout can hit even those who seem the most composed and productive.
6. “Self-care is the solution to burnout.”
False – Self-care helps, but the root causes of burnout are organizational. Prevention requires leadership and systemic change.
Follow-Up Discussion Prompts
- Which of these burnout myths have you heard at work?
- How can leaders help dismantle these beliefs?
- What systems or habits might help prevent burnout on your team?
Trainer Tips for Deeper Learning
- Use breakout rooms: Divide participants into small groups and assign one myth to each. Ask them to discuss how that belief shows up in real life—and what leaders can do to change it.
- Introduce journaling: After the activity, offer a 5-minute personal reflection prompt like “What beliefs about burnout have I internalized?”
- Leadership angle: If training managers, ask how each myth might show up in their team and how they would intervene or coach differently.
External Insight: What Is Burnout?
According to the World Health Organization, burnout is an “occupational phenomenon” resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.
It is about the feelings of “exhaustion, cynicism, and reduced professional efficacy. It’s not a personal failure or a lack of grit. It’s a sign of deeper issues that need addressing across teams and leadership.
Expand the Learning
Looking for more wellness tools? Browse our full Workplace Wellness Training Guides
Download the Burnout Prevention Training Course for Managers
- PowerPoint training slides (fully editable)
- Facilitator guide and trainer notes
- Printable participant workbook
- Interactive activities to identify and manage burnout risks
Perfect for training team leaders, supervisors, and managers to recognize burnout signs and support employee wellbeing effectively.
Download Full Course Materials
Paul Symonds is Co-Founder of Symonds Research and a qualified researcher with a PhD in wayfinding. He specializes in workplace learning, employee training design, and educational resources. Paul supports the creation of ready-to-use training materials for HR professionals, team leaders, and classroom trainers.
