Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt - It’s Not Burnout; It’s Betrayal

Is It Burnout, orBetrayal Trauma? Burnout,which is estimated to cost the USover $500B every year, is defined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as “anoccupational phenomenon resulting from chronic stress that has not beensuccessfully managed.” But what ifBurnout isn’t just about overwork, too little rest, or setting poor boundaries,as is often assumed? What if it’s about Betrayal Trauma? Many peoplearen’t just tired or overwhelmed; they’re disoriented. The institutions andidentity narratives that have shaped how they understand fairness, opportunity,justice, and stability feel less predictable. When systems shift faster thanidentity can adapt, the nervous system registers a threat. The result lookslike overwhelm, outrage, shutdown, or exhaustion — but underneath it isidentity disruption, the precursor to Betrayal Trauma. Thesymptoms of Burnout and Betrayal Trauma are strikingly similar, yet their rootcauses are very different. Recognizing the difference is key to a productivesolution. Interview Op: Lora Cheadle, JD, CHt, former attorneyturned Burnout and Betrayal Expert, Author, and Speaker, explains what BetrayalTrauma is, why it is often mistaken for Burnout, how to recognize thedifference, and how to embrace betrayal as a threshold for productivechange. Website: https://loracheadle.com/ Sample Media: PIX11 on WPIX-TV New York | The Optimal Life Podcast Social Media: Youtube | Facebook | Instagram “People don’t always burn out from workinghard—they often burn out from working hard for a story that stops beingtrue.” ~ Lora Cheadle Talk Points: · Thesymptoms of Burnout and Betrayal Trauma are strikingly similar, yet their rootcauses are very different. o Theroot cause of Burnout is unmanaged stress. § Burnoutis characterized by 1) feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion, 2) increasedmental distancing from one’s job or negative feelings towards one’s career and3) reduced professional productivity. o BetrayalTrauma is caused by broken expectations that have ruptured your view ofyourself, the world, or your career. § Thesymptoms of Betrayal Trauma include 1) feeling emotionally numb and withdrawingsocially, 2) having negative beliefs about yourself and others, 3) experiencinghypervigilance towards perceived threats and 4) difficulty managing youremotions. · Whyso many people feel destabilized right now · Howinstitutional trust erosion impacts identity · Examplesof expectations that can cause Betrayal Trauma if broken: Loyalty will berewarded/ Hard work will lead to promotions/ “Doing everything right” will leadto recognition · Howto recognize Burnout vs Betrayal Trauma in yourself (It may also be a littlebit of both.) · Thesolution is not in doing more. Doing more and doubling down on performanceleads to more stress and more opportunities to have your expectationsbroken. · Thesolution is to FUEL UP- empower yourself to reserve more of your energy and maintainthe capacity to manage both your stress and your broken expectations moreeffectively by following these practical steps: o F-Find your why o U-Uncover the truth o E-Expectation management o L-Learn to laugh o UP-Unbroken Promises About Lora Cheadle: LORA CHEADLE, JD CHt, is an author, TEDx speaker, and leadershipwellness coach who specializes in burnout and betrayal recovery. She showsburned-out professionals, teams, and organizations how to reframe burnout asbetrayal trauma so they can get to the root cause of their symptoms and stayengaged, productive, and happy for the long haul.