Gratitude and Latitude

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Given it’s November, I thought I’d get the jump on thanks. Thanks to all of you, first of all. The Buzz’s audience is growing fast and that in itself is gratifying to say the least. But your comments — insights and bon mots and great, candid, even vulnerable observations — huge thanks for those. They inspire me, and always make me think.

There’s a lot to be grateful for. But it wouldn’t be the Buzz if I didn’t add in some caveats and ask a hard question or two. Gladitude is one thing. Glossovers? Not so much.

At the end — now a custom here — you’ll find my burning query about the billionaire storming the House of Twitter right now. Please weigh in, and thanks in advance for your candor!

What I’m thankful for in 2022: 

Mental health taking center stage

Thank you to HR teams taking mental health seriously.

90% of employers are investing more in mental health programs, 76% in stress management and resilience programs, and 71% in mindfulness and meditation programs. They’re adding remote and digital to in-person and onsite offerings. Talk about being practical, compassionate and smart — three essential qualities employers need more of, right now.

Thank you to employers taking a practical, compassionate and smart approach to talent management.

I’m repeating that to drive the point home. Thank you for tact, empathy, and intelligence.

The caveat: Unfortunately, somewhat fewer employees said their employers are empathetic this year: from 72% in 2021 to 69% in 2022. The conundrum starts in the C-Suite: 79% of CEOs said they had trouble being empathetic and 77% were concerned that if they were too empathetic, they’d lose respect.

So I have to ask: Are we staring at a growing empathy gap based on fragile self-image? That’s the kind of slow leak that can really deflate a work culture. Despite a commitment to bettering mental health programs, something is making a full two-thirds of employees worry their employers see mental health issues as a burden or a sign of weakness.

Recruiters wising up

Thank you to recruiters focusing on skills for hiring, not degrees.

Finally we’re seeing some realistic talent acquisition, starting in tech industry — often a bellwether of the changing world of work. There’s a great look at it by Farai Mugabe, with name checks of companies IBM (who’s been doing this for years). 

With research showing that businesses are adding some 200,000 jobs a month on average but critical positions still go unfilled, this is an important strategy shift. No caveat here. And to those recruiters who have been saying “I told you so” for years, kudos.   

This growing community 

Thank you to the incredible collaborations.

I’ve been a part of this year and the innovative companies I’ve done them with. I’ve been talking about transparency a lot. So this is transparent: we’re all part of an economy that revolves around people. These are so many projects that give me faith that we’re all going in the right direction. We’re putting people first.  

Thank you to my amazing work friendships.

You know who you are, and you make this work a joy.

Thank you for pointing out an uncomfortable truth.

A shout out to the many that dove into the fray in response to the Crying CEO post on LinkedIn. In case it didn’t dominate the conversation for a spate in your neck of the woods, CEO Braden Wallake posted a selfie of himself in tears over  having to lay off two employees out of his staff of 17.

It was supposed to resonate, as in: CEOs have feelings too and I feel so bad. It did, but not the way he expected. The backlash was a hearty roar, with accusations of hypocrisy (Wallake’s Instagram was anything but teary), performative empathy, and embarrassing transparent narcissism. (And by saying he was one of the rare CEOs with heart he managed to alienate everyone, including his cohort.) Leaders, take note.   

Moments of inspiration

Thank you for the metaphors

If you haven’t seen this performance piece starring a man, a staircase, and a trampoline, I recommend it. It’s a wonderful metaphor for human resilience and persistence, aptly posted by data scientist and AI expert Steve Nouri with this wonderful reminder: The “Trampoline is your determination, perseverance and whatever positive force in you to get you back on your feet.”

One more metaphor from a CEO who’s definitely thinking. He compared the fast-response work culture of his booming company to black licorice, as in: either you love black licorice or you hate it, but there’s no middle ground. Can’t get any clearer than that. I’m a black licorice type myself. 

How much latitude?

Now comes the hard question. Twitter’s new owner has already laid off execs to avoid payouts and staff are steeling themselves for pink slips — which you can bet he didn’t cry about. Trolls, misinformation in the name of free speech, questionable labor policies already.

Are you planning to stay? How much latitude do we give this new social media baron, and how do you think it’s going to affect the world of work?

Let me know in the comments. And thank you.

If you enjoyed this article, I invite you to check the TalentCulture #WorkTrends Podcast, where I talk with leading HR experts, innovators, and practitioners about key issues and opportunities we’re facing in the modern world of work.

Best,

—MMB