Recalibration: How to Lead When Everyone in the World is Flat

‘Flat’ is probably not the best use of the word right now, but to me, it seems fitting in this current climate. Interest rates are going up, the cost of living is high and I may need to sell a child to fill up my car soon. 

Life always throws us challenges, and whilst it appears we have survived covid, it’s the relentless change that continues to trigger anxiety. 

As a heart-centred leader, I take more things to heart than I should. So, when I look around and see my team struggling it’s hard not to take it personally. I share in their pain. 

How can I lift morale? 

What can I do to make my staff happier? 

What more can I give to turn things around? 

Above are all the reasons why I’m suffering from responsibility fatigue. Burnout doesn’t always come from long hours and hard work, it can be caused simply by caring too much. We see this in practitioners where compassion can be both a strength and a weakness.  

There is no secret recipe to making others content, mostly because making other people happy is not our job BUT there are a few things we can do to deliver a more positive future for those we care about. 

1. Ensure everyone has a holiday booked in the next 3 months. Having some personal time to look forward to will keep people driving forward. People need quality time with loved ones and a mega dose of vitamin D. 

2. Offer some kind of incentive. I know increasing remuneration right now is the last thing people want to think about, but if it helps loyal team members feel valued then do it! Recognition doesn’t need to be financial, it could come in the form of a CPD course, a handwritten card, an extra day off or a new title. Know what motivates your team and speak their language. 

3. Stop waiting for things to go back to normal. It might be brutal, but this is it. Covid is here to stay, and so are vaccines. It’s not ideal but it’s life. Resistance will only cause more anxiety. Normalise emotion in the workplace, encourage people to share their stories, and make them feel comfortable talking about mental health. 

4. Bring your team together. Invite them to dinner, organise a social event and build strong bonds. HBR tells us that one of the top 3 reasons people stay in a workplace is because of their ‘Work Bestie.’ Invest in connecting solid friendships at work. 

5. Delegate authority. We need to go one step further than sharing responsibility. A load carried by many is much easier over time. Set clear expectations, make people accountable, and welcome help.

It doesn’t matter if the glass is half empty or half full, it’s time to be grateful for what we have in it. I am optimistic that things will get better, but for now we need to get through each day. 

Let’s stop the great resignation and instead look to recalibrate. 

For me, this starts with handing things over to my team for a while and taking a much needed trip to Bali. Sorry not sorry for the sunshine spam to come. I’m excited to spend time with my family and be present after two years of living in a hurricane.

What is your recalibration plan? 

Bringing you my best. 

Big love, 

Jade xx