Richard Morse, Executive Leadership Coach at Mariposa writes:
In conversation with a round table of colleagues this morning – executive coaches and organization development consultants – one posed this show-stopper of a question: “No, really: How are you holding up under all the strain these days?”
Whew.
The truth is, everyone in that discussion is feeling some degree of exhaustion, disillusionment and frustration at the seeming inexorable tide of bad news. From political storms to war to the resurgent pandemic – let alone the stresses of work and home life – it’s hard not to feel worn down. And all reported their clients are feeling the same. If virtually everyone is feeling the strain, and organizational leaders have the added responsibility to look after the wellbeing of their employees – if for no other reason to ensure the viability of their companies – what then can be done? Or, to put it another way:
How can we help?
Our group brainstormed some ideas, and came up with a few nuggets:
- Simplify. Control what you can control. Reduce the “nice to haves,” focus on the “must haves.”
- Reduce ambiguity. Communicate often about your business context. Tell people what is changing, what’s not changing, and what is unknown. Tell them again and again, in as many modes as possible. As the saying goes: in the absence of information people will fill the void with their worst imaginations.
- Create clarity. About values, roles, what’s important and what’s urgent. The flip side of the above: give people as much information as possible to help them focus on the task at hand.
- Make decisions. Related to the above. Don’t try to “define the ‘new normal'” as the business headlines would have us attempt. Make decisions amidst ambiguity with the information you have, to serve people in the near-term normal.
- Be compassionate and empathetic. To yourself and to others. Build relationships. Give a little. Listen. Ask for help yourself – from a friend, a mentor, or a coach – to be able to better help others, or to model that it’s okay to ask.
This is by no means complete or definitive list of ideas; rather, a few tips to manage the day-to-day from the fertile minds of some thoughtful peers. What would you add?
With thanks to my colleagues at Mariposa Leadership for their ever-thought-provoking conversations and continual drive to think about how to do the work better.
