“But If I Don’t Do It, Who Will?” With Guest Natalie Miller

In today’s episode, we discuss the consequences of hyper-responsibility. We explore how high standards can push us into overwork and why institutions support a “do it myself” work ethic. We talk about this issue from multiple angles and through the lens of academia and life at home. You can be a successful academic and set boundaries on your time, wants, and desires. It may require systemic change in the framework of your institution, but even more importantly, it requires personal and professional development. 

Tune in to hear our thoughts on hyper-responsibility and how to leverage high standards in a way that does not result in burnout or overwork. 

If I Don’t Do It, Who Will?

So many academic women struggle with a mindset of “If I don’t do it, who will?” Usually, this question masks the fear that if you don’t do it yourself, the task won’t be completed to your standards. So, instead of delegating work equitably, you become overwhelmed and overworked. It is impossible and unstainable to think that you can do it all. While this strategy might have worked for group projects in high school, it will not serve you professionally. 

But from an academic perspective, many institutions have a framework that forces a ton of tasks on one person. In this scenario, if it doesn’t get done, it genuinely won’t get done. The only solution is not to be hyper-responsible. When the ‘ask’ is too big, turn it back on the institution to start to enact change.

Costs of Hyper Responsibility

Regardless of which lens you look at hyper responsibility through – at home or work – there are very real costs to this behavior. By taking on every task solo, you are compromising education and inhibiting a better process of being created that is more equitable and self-sufficient.  

Academics are usually hesitant to say no because the burden of work will just be passed to someone else. Instead, we need to develop a new system that is more collaborative and evolves the culture of academia away from overwork.

What Do You Want & What Do You Need

It is so difficult to say what you want or need. This is a systemic issue that affects women disproportionately. We have an ambivalent relationship with desire because societal norms train us to want things that benefit men. In addition, everything is constantly changing and evolving, so our desires change with them. 

You are allowed to need things! It is challenging for a group leader to ask for help. For many people who are hyper-responsible, that mindset started in childhood. You were self-sufficient and autonomous. Shifting to a place where you receive instead of giving can be a challenge because it is something that you have to learn how to do. However, allowing yourself to need things and express those needs is vital to growth.  

“A good question to ask yourself is: ‘What does my hyper responsibility cost me and what does it cost the system that I am working in?’ The institution is probably saving money, but there is a cost to the institution by trying to force an unrealistic responsibility onto staff.”

“The institution or the culture of academia says you alone are responsible for your publications and scholarly production and if you don’t hit the bar, it’s on you. But the institution is also creating conditions which overburden you. So being able to make choices that help preserve your time also makes publishing harder and harder because they’re creating an unsustainable work environment.”

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