A large part of the problem is that management doesn’t realize that writing software is a creative endeavor. You don’t get more creative output by working people harder, you do it by giving them more freedom. I may create more value with one spark of insight than months if trudging along, yet almost all management is meant to optimize the trudge and not the spark. This also adds to the very low quality of most code (also cited in the study).

We see a lot of VCs blog about how you can’t succeeded if you don’t work long, hard hours but the truth is the complete opposite. You can’t operate at peak coding performance if you’re not rested, motivated and feeling creative.

4 day work weeks (or less), 100% flexible schedules, wfh and far fewer meetings are some ways you can combat burnout.