To improve is to change, to be perfect is to change often.
–Winston Churchill
We agree that growth, development, and improvement require change, along with most likely a bit of stress. Until we’re willing to accept that, we may be limiting our opportunities. Note: We don’t support Churchill’s concept of being perfect!
You’ve heard before that what got you to where you are today will more than likely NOT take you to your desired next level of achievement and that’s primarily because things change.
Times, strategies, technology, budgets, skill-sets, customers, partnerships, and shareholders change and as change occurs, it’s up to us to meet associated challenges and swiftly “evolve” and grow. We also need to recognize that discomfort may occur and we should reflect on the “why” and consider options for managing our feelings.
As leaders we need to take time and pay attention to what’s happening to us, and we also need to pay attention to those we work with. So many are currently working remotely but we still need to understand the pulse of our team/organization. Consider: How’s productivity? Enthusiasm levels on calls? Team Collaboration? Attitudes? Communication?
Physical and emotional health suffer when change is not managed and stress becomes unhealthy instead of energizing and motivating.
In late 2019 (pre covid-19), Daily Life reported:
- 83% of US workers suffer from work-related stress.
- US businesses lose up to $300 billion yearly as a result of workplace stress.
- Stress causes around one million workers to miss work every day.
- Only 43% of US employees think their employers care about their work-life balance.
- Depression leads to $51 billion in costs due to absenteeism and $26 billion in treatment costs.
- Work-related stress causes 120,000 deaths and results in $190 billion in healthcare costs yearly.
This year the CDC suggests watching for:
- Feeling irritation, anger, or in denial
- Feeling uncertain, nervous, or anxious
- Lacking motivation
- Feeling tired, overwhelmed, or burned out
- Feeling sad or depressed
- Having trouble sleeping
- Having trouble concentratingWe need to take care of our own needs and be cognizant of and address the needs of those around us. This will position the workplace to better manage work stress without becoming overwhelmed. Like the cocoon to the butterfly, we need to grow and change!
Progress is impossible without change and those that can not change their minds can not change anything.
–George Bernard Shaw