Chronoworking could be the latest workplace trend aimed at attracting employees and adapting to the globalization of the workforce. The idea is to work according to an individual's circadian rhythm to optimize productivity as the body naturally gets energy, as opposed to the regular 9 to 5 work hours.
Average US employee satisfaction in December fell to the lowest level since 2019, according to a BambooHR report, which also found the average satisfaction score in last year's fourth quarter was 10% lower than it was during the pandemic in December 2020. "Managers and leaders must have regular check-ins with their teams to understand what the problems are, communicate what they've learned, ask for employee support and then act on the feedback," says Anita Grantham, HR head at BambooHR, which indicates layoffs, inflation, return-to-office policies and changing employee expectations are top reasons for the drop in satisfaction.
A Buck's survey found 74% of US employers have committed to well-being strategies, but only half of employees say they've seen an increase in support. "Organizations likely need to revisit their communication strategies to enhance employee education and increase use of benefits, to drive desired outcomes and results," says Ruth Hunt, a principal in Gallagher's Communications practice and co-author of the report, which also found 55% of employees want to understand their benefits better and 80% want to talk to someone about benefits.
The best leaders can paint a compelling vision for the future, value both results and relationships, embrace change and display a compassionate heart by seeking to add value to everyone, writes Mark Miller, the co-founder of Lead Every Day. "The more you attempt this, the more you'll become aware of how you can add value to others: encouragement, appreciation, coaching, correction, resources, connections, genuine compliments and so much more," Miller notes.
Mental health challenges range in scope and severity, so it's not a surprise that treatments for such issues also vary. One kind of treatment session that's being leveraged in cities across France are visits to museums. Many of the museums collaborate with nearby medical facilities to fill prescriptions that call for doses of peace, quiet and art.
"Je pense, donc je suis" is the French translation of the Latin phrase "Cogito, ergo sum"; in English, "I think, therefore I am." But mathematician Rene Descartes' original French translation, when translated to English, was which of the following?
Some people aim to be leaders, while others have the mantle placed on their shoulders.
My son falls into the latter group. Kiaha is that rare, genuinely humble spirit. He has zero ego. He is friendly, patient and kind. And level headed; Kiaha makes decisions from the place of logic and wisdom, never emotion.
These qualities served him well over the last few weeks, as he tended to his father who was in the final stages of cancer. He spent hours at David’s bedside, watching television, reading scripture to him and praying over him. When decisions had to be made about his father's care, Kiaha listened carefully to the doctors and nurses, then discussed options with David’s girlfriend Tanya*. (She was his primary caregiver.) When friction erupted between Tanya and David’s family members, Kiaha stood quietly in the gap to bring calm. He let people vent, offered no opinion and kept his focus on his dad.
“All I care about is my dad,” he told people, gently, but firmly. He treated everyone with courtesy and refused to pass along gossip.
Kiaha’s demeanor won him the respect of every person involved in David’s case -- from the doctors and nurses, to Tanya, to his aunts, uncles, cousins and grandparents. Everyone deferred to him and his direction.
I saw this yesterday when the hospice nurse arrived and declared David in the active dying stage. He outlined the options for David’s care and pain management. I saw Kiaha bristle when Tanya asked about administering Fentanyl; I knew he didn’t like it. The nurse advised against it and recommended staying with the morphine that David had been using. That’s when Kiaha stood up.
“Then that’s what we’ll do,” he said, his voice strong and firm. Tanya wrung her hands and sighed. Kiaha repeated himself. “That’s what we’ll do. No Fentanyl.” No one argued.
Kiaha’s toughness came through again this morning when he said his final good-bye to his father. The room, filled with family, went quiet as my big Hawaiian boy bent over his father’s tiny, fragile frame.
“I love you, Dad,” he choked, holding David's hand gently. “I promise to tell the kids your stories and to keep watch over Gabriel and Holly. Say hi to Tutu and Uncle Billy for me. I love you Big Man.”
This is the kind of leadership we need today, amid the turbulence and uncertainty of our world. We need folks who can guide with humility and quiet strength; who can keep their eyes on what matters and advocate in kind; who can work with a myriad of personalities and steer them toward a goal; and who, when the chips are down, make decisions with wisdom and confidence.
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*Name changed to preserve security.
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