Leadership Between the Lines

I think we have to be extra kind to each other right now. I'm noticing in my work with clients, with things my friends and family are going through, and in my own life that there is this extra level of buzz, tenderness, and sensitivity that seems to go with more things than not right now. Tension runs high, misunderstandings feel faster, lots of flux in people's jobs and life decisions and relationships, some more "proving it" and "covering my booty" energy is showing up especially in corporate players (which is like literally the last thing our culture needs right now) -- not to mention politics, global warming, the latest in Texas, and oh, ya... the pandemic and... everything else.

There has been a lot in the media lately about "the Great Resignation" and people leaving the workforce to start their own companies or move to others.

Burnout, stress, overwhelm, feeling unseen, unappreciated, and not on purpose being some of the key reasons cited. This checks. In the conversations I'm having right now with clients and colleagues this topic is coming up again and again. In the work I'm doing with leaders and their teams right now, versions of this topic come up in our one-on-ones. Lots of people are looking to leave. Lots.

"Gosh, you are so busy!” is a statement I often hear from people. It’s an assumption people make based upon how I design my time and what I say YES and NO to. (It's often then followed up by them telling me some form of how busy they are, and that they wish they weren't, and how hard it is that we're all busy, and down the "busy spiral" the convo will go -- IF I let myself get hooked into their busy....)

“It’s naive to think in today’s day and age that an organization does not play a part in their employees’ wellness.”  -- Tara Ataya, chief people and diversity officer at Hootsuite.   

Last week's headline (linked above) said 95% of people are considering quitting their jobs in a recent survey, citing burnout and relentless work of the last year as a core reason.

I've worked with my team for years; one member has been with me for almost fourteen years now, another just two. Some vendors for years, some for short bouts. All of them I've learned from -- they've each grown me as a leader in their own ways. Writing this, just fresh off of our Q3 Team Meeting, I am flush with gratitude and also awe at what teaming takes. Whether you are in person (which we are not), or remote (which we very much are and always have been), there are a couple of best practices and beliefs to hold that I've found extra useful.