Embracing the Dynamic Tension of the Times

A note from our founder, Lauran: One of the biggest gifts that I receive from coaching clients is knowing that we are not alone. Many of my clients will express big feelings. Fear, insecurity, embarrassment, wondering if they can deliver for their teams, and struggling to keep their head above water with all the demands on their time and attention. These feelings can be deeply isolating when we feel that we are experiencing them due to a personal defect or limitation. 

I have yet to hear from a client a feeling or experience that does not align with the experience of my other clients that have similar scope in their jobs. The gift I receive is this:  when I experience these same feelings, I know that they are normal and contributing to my growth. I am left wondering how to normalize these experiences so that we, collectively, can feel less alone. For now, I will keep learning and carry with me the gratitude of my best teachers-my clients.   

I recently spent the morning with a group of HR senior leaders who were reflecting on the past two years. The bottom line is this. They are exhausted. There has never been a more challenging time to lead the culture and HR function in an organization. Many times they  are caught between what employees are requesting (or in some cases demanding) and what the business is willing or able to accommodate.

Our conversation quickly turned to retaining talent and how to keep employees engaged. Many reported cultural symptoms such as:

• burnout 
• increased anxiety 
• more complaints being filed 
• increased interpersonal conflict
• concern about productivity and worry about making sweeping changes to remote work environments
• lack of motivation and engagement 

There is no doubt that the level of sophistication in leadership skills is increasing at an exponential rate that presents challenges for organizations to keep up with. But rest assured, these are skills that can be taught and coached.