Functioning without thriving: Boreout & Rustout


 Functioning without thriving: Boreout & Rustout


You know that worker. Top producer. Few errors. Shows up every shift. But something shifted. They slowed down, not because they can't keep up, but because the work can't keep up with them. They used to be the curious one, asking questions and staying engaged.

Now they come in, keep their head down, and go home. They used to be the person everyone went to for answers, the most knowledgeable on the floor, and now they're not sharing what they know. 

All of this is a signal, and it has a name: Boreout. This occurs when a job stops challenging someone, leading them to disengage because their role has become stagnant. Then there's Rustout, which happens when someone remains underutilized for an extended period. They may still be functioning but are not thriving.

They haven't stopped performing; they've stopped growing.

Maybe it's time to give them more. More responsibility, more challenge, and more purpose so that they can continue to grow.

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