In sharing their thoughts on “𝘔𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘢𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢 𝘏𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘵𝘩𝘺 𝘙𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱 𝘚𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘙𝘦𝘴𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘴,” Sindiswa and Cecil shared four trends they have observed in workplaces, and the challenges these present to leaders. Here is the third.

𝗗𝗢𝗜𝗡𝗚 𝗠𝗢𝗥𝗘 𝗪𝗜𝗧𝗛 𝗟𝗘𝗦𝗦

We have noticed many workplaces where global events, amplified by our own national economic and other crises, and internal organisational circumstances, are creating conditions where employees are being required to do more and more with less. Essentially, it seems evident that demands are rising while resources diminishing. For individuals, teams and organisations, this is creating increasing stress and burnout.

Leaders at all levels feel the compounding dilemmas of:
⚡ carrying ever-growing loads themselves,
⚡ needing to pass the burden of organisational expectations to their staff,
⚡ exercising their duty of care and provide support for them, and
⚡ finding ways to sustain their own optimism, health and energy.
This is not the first time in history this has happened, but it appears that the current situation is profoundly disconcerting.

How can leaders best navigate this context? We don’t have definitive answers, but we know that people working interdependently are exponentially more resilient when they:
1️⃣Feel that they belong and are included in achieving a meaningful purpose
2️⃣Experience their workplace as being safe enough for them to be themselves, make their unique contribution, challenge the status quo and be innovative and creative
3️⃣Work in an environment where challenges and conflicts are spoken about openly and resolved collectively.

We note that all of these conditions are relational. Without taking care of the way people are relating, a narrow, driving focus on trying to get more work done with less will never deliver the required results.

When demands are rising it is more important than ever for leaders to nurture an enabling environment.