As we come to the end of 2023, Gallup polls show all-time lows of workplace engagement AND all-time lows of hope and optimism. Happy holidays indeed! Watch Bobbie LaPorte’s December 18 “Calling the Game” video for some practical tips on how you as a leader can help navigate through the ongoing uncertainty—and set a positive tone for the new year.
Embracing Hope and Resilience: Bobbie’s Year-End Leadership Tip
Hi, this is Bobbie LaPorte, back with another week of “Calling the Game,” where I share my own experience and insights while giving you valuable tools you can use to call your own game…and plan the best moves for you and your team.
This is my final post of 2023 – so I can say: “What a year!!” Well…is this good or not so good? Every year has its high points along with challenges. I know that in the last few years, the challenges and difficulties may seem to have outweighed the positive moments.
In times of unrelenting uncertainty, our default is to focus on the negative, partly in self-protection, because we are afraid to be disappointed again if we look for what is positive, for what good could come next. This negative orientation can have an impact on our work and relationships and create significant stress.
And, after a number of years of continuous change and uncertainty, Gallup and other sources are reporting that we are now experiencing an all-time low level of engagement – but also of hope and optimism – given all that is happening here at home and globally. And this troubling news is compounded by record stress levels for the second year in a row.
Wow! And this is at year-end when we generally look to the holidays with hope, optimism, renewed expectations, and a chance to start fresh in the new year.
This picture definitely presents perhaps unprecedented challenges for leaders who are already, themselves, struggling to maintain a positive outlook.
My caution to you is this: it’s a mistake to assume that your team will return from the holidays completely refreshed and prepared for the new year.
While this might have held true in the past, the cumulative effects of prolonged stress, uncertainty, and the additional pressures of the season can make it challenging for many to truly relax during the holidays.
So, what can you do to help your team deal with all of this and make the most of the holiday season?
Here are three things to consider:
Be empathetic to how people are feeling at this time
We don’t know what each person is dealing with, which can exacerbate everything else that is going on. Where you can, be flexible with time off and/or working arrangements, as well as work expectations during this year-end time.
Foster open communication by being available and approachable to your team
If you have regularly scheduled 1:1 meetings with your team members, try to keep those (it can be tempting to skip/cancel these with all that is going on). These provide an opportunity for them to voice any concerns and receive support from you.
Be optimistic in a realistic way
As you close out the year, acknowledge all that has been accomplished during the past year, share your view of the possibilities for them and the business, and generally maintain a positive, authentically aspirational tone.
I want to thank and acknowledge my colleague, Sarah Deane (@SarahDeane), the CEO and founder of MEvolution, who shared some of the insights in this post. Sarah is an innovator working at the intersection of behavioral and cognitive science and AI. Her company helps people and organizations relinquish their blockers, restore their energy, reclaim their mental capacity, and redefine their potential. Pretty powerful stuff.
Okay, that’s it for this week’s – actually this year’s – “Calling the Game.” I hope this helps you navigate the holidays with whomever you are spending it with, acknowledge what we all have to be thankful for, and look forward to the best for all of us in 2024.
My best to you and your families; take care, and I’ll see you in the New Year.