The Great Resignation: Leaders Emerge After the Pandemic
Have you been noticing more ‘help wanted’ signs recently? Or been apologized to for the long wait time due to being understaffed? Maybe some of your friends, family, or colleagues have been switching up their careers, going back to school, or even retiring early. These are all signs that you’re experiencing the effects of millions of workers quitting their jobs after the recent Pandemic, deemed the bodacious title by economists as “The Great Resignation.”
In March, a study done by the Microsoft’s Work Trend Index revealed that 41% of those who participated in the global survey were planning to leave their job by September of this year. While the reasons cited for this are many, the Pandemic and subsequent shut-down are primary catalysts. According to an NPR article employees are leaving, “...in search of more money, more flexibility and more happiness. Many are rethinking what work means to them, how they are valued, and how they spend their time.” Nothing like a world-changing crisis like a global pandemic to really put things into perspective!
“As a culture we are shifting our priorities away from materialism… and towards meaning and fulfillment.”
Our national and global economies are being forced to adapt to this very emotion- and value-driven event. People are still dealing with feelings of isolation, loss, and grief while maintaining a remote full-time job at varying degrees of success. The rate and the outcomes of all of these tremendous changes are still in flux (a state which tends to send us humans into relative stages of panic).
Everyone’s circumstances are different, of course. For my family and me, though it was certainly not all unicorns and rainbows, we were afforded time together that we found deeply meaningful. During this time, my commitment to building my business deepened, as did my passion for helping others. Looking outward, this pause has presented an opportunity for reflection for millions of people - we are seeing a paradigm shift fueled in large part by a deep desire to find a fulfilling purpose coupled with a new profound understanding of the preciousness of time.
In American (and dare I say Western) culture, we tend to identify ourselves with what we do, not who we are. Yet we are now seeing that evolve too. The world seems to be elevating, and with it, comes growing pains. Even those who remain at their current posts are questioning the ways things are being run. Do we still need to travel for meetings? Is Monday-Friday still a viable work week when production increases with a longer weekend? We are no longer accepting the poison of the established - and antiquated -corporate culture. What is emerging is a work force finally coming to terms with what they want and establishing boundaries to get it.
Now let’s talk about solutions. These changes take time, thought, intention, follow through, and a commitment to evolve with people and the times. What is being asked of leaders now is to create a work culture based on values and connection. In a moment when companies large and small are struggling to keep staff, these culture shifts will go far in attracting and retaining employees who want to be there because they know they are valued not just for what they do, but for WHO they are. When we invest our time, money, and hearts into their success they are much more likely to return that investment in time - that’s a win-win for everyone!
How do you feel about your current career? Has the pandemic made you question or change your course in life? What shifts are you enacting in your business to meet the very real holistic needs of your teams?
I would love to discuss with you how we can build the business of your dreams. Reach out below to make that step into your own GENIUS.