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T2B Monthly

Tomorrow: Burnout as a Systems Problem

Published 4 days ago • 1 min read

Hi!

A quick reminder that tomorrow’s April Comm Convo will take on burnout from a structural, comms-specific lens.

Why this conversation matters

Burnout in our profession builds through the emails sent while putting kids to bed, the crisis that lands during vacation, the stakeholder expectations where every request feels urgent, and the quiet pressure to stay available long after the workday ends.

This conversation will focus on what biopharma comms leaders can influence in reality: how we define burnout, how we spot it earlier, how we protect team capacity, and how we advocate for more sustainable ways of working.

What we’ll cover

  • How burnout shows up differently from ordinary stress, especially in always-on communications roles
  • The early warning signs leaders often miss in themselves and their teams
  • How CEO proximity, crisis mentality, and “everything is urgent” cultures amplify pressure
  • Structural changes that can reduce burnout, including clearer staffing models, PTO practices, utilization tracking, meeting norms, and protected focus time
  • How leaders can model boundaries credibly while still managing high-stakes work
  • How to distinguish between organizational burnout drivers and the pressure we create for ourselves

Why these speakers

We selected this group because each speaker brings a distinct vantage point on burnout in practice:

  • Arran Attridge: Big biopharma, emerging biotech, consulting, and company-building experience, with firsthand perspective on high-pressure comms moments.
  • Nikki Little: Agency leadership perspective, with concrete systems for tracking capacity and protecting teams from burnout.
  • Amanda Guisbond: Solo-operator and startup perspective as the first in-house comms hire at a high-growth AI-native biotech.
  • Barbara Palmer: Leadership coaching perspective, with deep experience helping leaders navigate boundaries, transitions, and pressure points.

Event details

April Comm Convo: Beyond Self-Care to Structural Change​
📅 Tuesday, April 28th
⏰ 12-1 p.m. ET / 9-10 a.m. PT / 4-5 p.m. GMT
Free for T2B Pro and Student members / $40 for Basic members

​RSVP here.​

See you tomorrow!

Lynnea

T2B Monthly

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