An old adage suggests you should “leave your emotions at the door” when you arrive at work everyday. This is not only detrimental to you and your organization, it prevents you and your team members from connecting with each other as human beings.
Current events like the war in Ukraine and ongoing challenges stemming from the Covid-19 Pandemic can feel like the elephant in the room that everyone is experiencing but no one is talking about. It is unrealistic and creates an environment of fear and distrust to suggest team members disconnect from feelings of sadness, anxiety, and stress caused by these events. We encourage you to engage with your team members in a way that allows them to show up authentically at work by addressing their personal and emotional needs as they arise.
You can leverage a number of our Forum protocols outside of your Forum meeting to create a meaningful space for your team members to share their experiences. Once you identify the challenges they are facing, you can be more empathetic and proactive in tailoring your approach to managing and supporting them.
Next time you suspect a team member or colleague is struggling, try using one of our quick tips above to address the elephant in the room. You will boost your team’s engagement and overall wellbeing by creating trust and safety for them to share their challenges with you even when you can’t offer a perfect solution.