Inflation, national elections, and general global political unrest are already enough to add to the stress level of our day-to-day lives. The holidays are just around the corner, which often piles on even more stress for all of us. Now is the time to check in on your friends, family and co-workers to make sure they are on solid footing with their daily lives. It’s a challenge, but so is almost everything we do as leaders. Here’s a few things to consider as a leader to help maintain a resilient and balanced team.
Communication
Communication is essential to building a strong, resilient workforce. COVID lockdowns, remote work, and social media made it much easier for individuals struggling with life issues to cover them up from friends and coworkers. It is so easy to either ignore texts/emails/social media posts or tell others online you’re just fine when reality is far different. I’ve done it and am guessing most of us have…
There is no substitute for in-person communication. If logistically possible, consider an in-person team meeting to discuss holiday schedule, end of year wrap-up, etc…most importantly, it’s a chance to look everyone in the eye and do it in a less formal setting. I recommend trying to do this at least twice a year as a minimum to ensure direct engagement.
Walk the halls and make some calls. Numerous studies show emerging leaders all want more communication in the workplace. The best way to know your team members is to walk the halls and stick your head in and say hello occasionally…not only does it allow you to help know your team better, it also puts a personal face on leadership for those on your team. This also makes it easier for a team member to approach leadership if/when they are dealing with a personal crisis.
Listen…Do not try to solve problems or make judgements
Face it, every one of us has to deal with having a bad day, week, month or longer. Whether it’s family, financial, relationship or other issues, we all face turmoil at various points in our lives. How one copes and the support network around them are what determines resiliency and ability to deal with life’s challenges.
During my numerous command tours in the US Air Force, I found just listening and being a thoughtful ear to bend was the most effective initial action when engaging with an individual having life challenges. It is human nature to want to fix problems, especially as a leader…do not fall into that trap in these situations. Listen, ask questions, discuss possible follow-on actions/solutions but do not prescribe a solution or make judgements about the situation. Doing either can make the individual feel like their problem is not a big deal or they are not smart enough to fix it. Just listen, be supportive, and let them know they have a network to lean on in difficult times.
Know the tools for help and make sure they are available
There are numerous free resources and most companies have specific resources /counseling to assist with everything from financial stress to mental health issues to relationship problems. Your job as a leader is to make sure the team knows how to access these resources and they will NOT be judged for utilizing them. Post/publish/speak about these resources often and do not hesitate to discuss your own issues you may have had and how you dealt with them.
I have seen the tragic consequences of suicide and how it affects an organization. The sad thing is warning signs were ignored or minimized until after the fact. Please be proactive as a leader, communicate often with the team and let everyone know they are not alone in dealing with life’s challenges.
I wish everyone a happy, healthy Holiday Season and Happy New Year! Please take care of yourself, your family and your team.
Authored By: Dave Hicks, Managing Director
