According to Gallup’s 2024 State of the Global Workplace Report, only 33% of employees in the US and Canada are engaged in their work. Low engagement leads to absenteeism, turnover, low productivity, and poor customer satisfaction. Furthermore, surveys indicate that stress, sadness, and even loneliness at work are becoming significant barriers to employees achieving more.
And now, we add uncertainty to the mix.
Remember that study many years ago where participants knew for sure they would receive a painful electric shock felt calmer than those who were told they had only a 50% chance of getting the shock? The human brain prefers to know an outcome, one way or another.
The world is changing and we are all experiencing the stress of that uncertainty.
We’ve been talking with a lot of leaders over recent weeks across all sectors. Here’s what they are saying about leading today:
Leaders must lean in and take charge. This doesn’t mean leading the team to believe it’s all going to be ok or that you have all the answers. But it does mean making sure the team knows you are doubling down to understand, to weigh alternatives, and to find the path that is the least bumpy (maybe even finding opportunities). Your demonstrable personal commitment to the team, the organization and this community is reassuring.
Leaders are “guardians, not magicians.” A leader can’t get rid of all the risk or be 100% sure everything is going to be ok. But they can commit to sharing the facts as they know them and telling the story of the organization – what’s known and unknown, what it all means, what’s being done. If you don’t share the story, folks will make up their own to try to resolve the discomfort they are feeling.
Communicate with folks—a lot. More than usual. Be honest, transparent and human. “My team knows these are tough times. I’m not going to deny it or gloss over it. I talk with them all, a lot. I try to be very visible.”
Find more ways to connect team members with each other, and with the community. Bring the team together for updates, free-flowing conversation, and some unexpected fun. Our team attended several community events last week. The rooms were full of warmth, conversation and goodness. Several leaders commented about how good humanity felt and how special Winnipeg is. “We’ll get through this.”
While being honest about today, share long-term vision regularly. The sun will rise again. Be realistic while nurturing perspective and strength as much as possible.
Don’t forget how hard this is on everyone–and on you too. Referring to last Monday’s tariff deadline, one leader shared, “Monday was the hardest day of my life.” More patience, more checking in with others and with self and more intentional re-fuelling with the things that bring joy are important.
Keep the humour. Last week, Manitoba Premier Kinew said, “Don’t boo the opposing team’s national anthem.” [ok, Mr. Premier. We behaved poorly.] “Boo the opposing team when they touch the puck.” An unexpected and needed chuckle. A “micro-break” from the heaviness of the day. Make those moments happen for someone along the way today.
