Episode 50: Don’t Text Me at 9 PM: Burnout, Boundaries and the Conversations Leaders Need to Have with Matthew Jackson Episode 50 woo hoo! 🎉 For this milestone episode of Not Another PD, I’m joined by senior psychologist, Board-approved supervisor and self-described “personality hire” Matthew Jackson. And yes, we talk about why you probably shouldn’t text your leader at 9 PM about something that could have been an email the next morning. But this conversation goes much further than after-hours messages. Matt has worked across private practice, hospitals, corporate teams and university settings, as well as leading teams himself. Outside of psychology, Matt also has another professional identity as drag performer Matilda Mercury Queen. Together, we get into the very human side of leadership: burnout, boundaries, difficult conversations, resentment, self-awareness, professional support and what happens when either leaders or their staff start to disconnect from the work. We also talk about why burnout isn’t simply an individual resilience problem, why leaders need somewhere safe to be supported themselves, and what leaders can do when they realise something isn’t quite right within themselves or their team. In this episode, we discuss: Warning signs that leaders themselves may be strugglingAfter-hours communication and setting clear boundaries with your teamHow to have difficult conversations without damaging professional relationshipsWhy leaders need to ask, “What’s my part in this?”Warning signs that staff may be struggling, disengaged or burning outBurnout as an individual, leadership and organisational responsibilityWhy blaming individual workers for not being “resilient enough” misses the bigger pictureHow leaders without a clinical background can better understand the realities of frontline practiceStaying curious and asking your team questions rather than making assumptionsWhy leaders acknowledging their own mistakes can help create safer teamsProfessional supervision, peer support and other places leaders can access support without relying on their staffMatt’s simple two-minute self-awareness check-inConnection to your role, your team and your organisation, and what it might mean when one of those connections starts to disappear. Towards the end of the episode, Matt gives us another great reflection: think about how connected you currently feel to your role, your team and your organisation. If the answer is “no” to one of them, that doesn’t necessarily mean everything is bad. It’s a clue. As Matt puts it, pick up the magnifying glass, be Agatha Christie and investigate. What has changed? What are you missing? What is your part in it? And what might need to change? Because, as Matt also asks, why does business have to be so serious? Connect with Matt: Email: mjpsychology@outlook.com Instagram LinkedIn Work with Jazmin: I support leaders, practitioners and organisations across the helping professions through professional supervision, leadership development, training and consultation. Explore my services Group Supervision Boundaries as Practitioners Training Free resources Are you a leader in the helping professions? I’m currently running online focus groups with Australian-based leaders to help shape new leadership training around reflective practice, professional boundaries, wellbeing and psychosocial safety. I’d love to hear from leaders across different helping professions, roles and sectors. Express your interest here Socialise with Jazmin: Instagram LinkedIn Facebook Website Join my email community Thanks so much for listening to Episode 50 of Not Another PD! And a huge thank you to Matt for such a fun, honest and very Matt conversation. If this episode got you thinking about your own boundaries, leadership or how connected you’re feeling to your work, I’d love to hear what stood out for you. And remember: if it can wait until 9 AM, maybe don’t text your leader at 9 PM.
