Have you felt the impact of mass-change in the workforce, coined as the Great Resignation? The US Department of Labor reports 11.5 million employees quit their jobs in the second quarter, and a new Gallup report finds 48% of America's working population is actively job searching or watching for opportunities (source).
In your pursuit of new talent, don't miss the opportunity to see the employees who are at an increased risk of burnout from working long(er) hours to fill the gaps of those who have exited. Leaders must look for non-traditional ways to remove expectations of "business as normal" when a "workforce as normal" doesn't exist.
As leaders who value the humanity of their employees ahead of their output, we must be aware of the immense pressure being put on those who remain and fill the gaps from recent turnover. They are loyal to your mission and willing to sacrifice for your organization. You can’t afford to lose them.
In these moments where the stakes feel so terribly high for your employees, how will you show up for them? Will you stand side-by-side as they wade through the trenches? Will you stand in front of them pushing roadblocks out of their way? Or will you sit in the stands critiquing the work they do on the field?
It’s critical that we be increasingly thoughtful of how our own actions as leaders impact the culture of our organizations right now. Your extended vacation, while deserved and needed, could be seen as a luxury others are too busy to be granted. Sending late-night emails could set an unintentional expectation that work shouldn’t end at the close of business.
“What you do has far greater impact than what you say.”
There’s never been a more pressing need for Christ-centered, servant leaders in our world. You are equipped to do this hard work – to make a lasting impact for your employees and your company – and we’re here to support you. If you aren’t yet part of a Convene team for leaders, we encourage you to explore the benefits of engaging with other leaders who are facing the same challenges as you right now. We’re also bringing expert HR speaker David Ulrich to Convene 2022, make sure to register to hear him speak on this topic.