Burnout among professional women is rising at a faster rate than for men, and it's not just a personal issue—it's systemic. In her new book This Isn’t Working, leadership expert Meghan French Dunbar unpacks why working women are struggling more, even when they’re doing everything “right.” Backed by compelling research, she argues that until we address the culture of overwork and redefine what success looks like, women will continue to burn out at alarming rates. This blog explores the book’s major insights and how workplace leaders can help reverse the trend.
The Systemic Causes of Burnout Among Working Women
In This Isn’t Working, French Dunbar makes a bold but data-backed claim: burnout isn’t just about working too hard—it’s about working within a broken system. She reveals that 43% of women report feeling burned out, compared to just 31% of men. Alarmingly, symptoms of depression increase for women as they climb the career ladder, while they decrease for men. The gap isn’t about resilience or capability—it’s about how workplace systems are designed. From negative performance feedback to the pressure to overachieve, women are held to impossible standards, and the toll is real.
Why Success Doesn’t Feel Like Success Anymore
French Dunbar’s own story mirrors many others. As a high-performing CEO and new mother, she found herself exhausted and unfulfilled. Her identity had been wrapped entirely around professional accomplishment. When the pandemic forced a pause, she realized: this isn’t working. She was addicted to achievement—but she’s not alone. Many women sacrifice well-being for status, believing it's the only path to success. Her book urges women to reclaim their value beyond titles and accolades—and challenges workplaces to stop rewarding burnout as a badge of honor.
Reframing Work and Leadership for Long-Term Change
So what’s the alternative? French Dunbar draws on insights from successful women who’ve opted out of the hustle culture and found healthier, sustainable ways to lead. The solution starts with a mindset shift: prioritize learning over performance, boundaries over busyness, and humanity over perfectionism. She references Carol Dweck’s work on growth mindset, highlighting the need to separate self-worth from results. When organizations support this shift, they don’t just improve mental health—they boost productivity and innovation, too.
A Blueprint for a Better Workplace for All
Ultimately, French Dunbar offers more than just a diagnosis—she provides a roadmap. Burnout among working women isn’t a personal failure; it’s a cultural design flaw. Her book empowers readers to question harmful norms and adopt a healthier approach to leadership. By building environments where people don’t have to sacrifice themselves for success, companies can thrive—and so can the women who power them. As French Dunbar puts it, the most radical act may simply be to believe: there is hope.
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