We thought we’d be on the downside by now. Case loads dropping. Economies opening. Stress levels associated with the pandemic easing back. We thought that’s where we would be by mid-April, but it’s absolutely not where we are.
Instead, for the first time since the pandemic hit, the Canadian rate of new cases has passed that of the United States. The third wave is washing across Canada and bringing with it rising levels of hospitalizations. ICUs are filling up fast.
I realize you know. It’s in the news every day.
What may not be as obvious, particularly among your strongest performers, is the toll that stress is taking. As a business leader, you have a key role to play in helping your team manage their emotions and anxiety as we move through this.
Let’s be clear. There is a light at the end of the tunnel. Vaccinations really are ramping up after a slow start that the Canadian government should be ashamed of, in my opinion. However, there are many weeks to go before your front line staff before they are vaccinated, and are working with customers who are vaccinated. And for many, this third wave is the worst of all for a number of reasons.
In some ways, it would seem counterintuitive that this one is the hardest on staff, as we’ve already been through two waves. Shouldn’t we be getting “used to it” to a degree? We also have the vaccines becoming more widely available. Spring is here so the weather is better. That’s always a welcome and refreshing change.
And yet, I hear so many stories about people in front line roles who are nearer the breaking point than they have been since the start of the pandemic. Most alarmingly, I’m hearing this from individuals that I know are the strongest players on their teams. The “go to.” Your most resilient and capable are among the hardest hit by stress, anxiety and frustration relating to the pandemic.
My guess is that the strongest performers are hit so hard in part because they know more is expected of them, and they expect more from themselves. They are the ones who find it the hardest to ask for help.
So how can you best help your team?
I’m no therapist, but the reading, asking and listening I’ve done point to a few consistent ideas that are worth ensuring you’re doing at your store.
Passing the anniversary of the pandemic’s start seems to be a particularly tough gut punch for many. Recognize that anniversary with your team, and acknowledge how hard it is right now.
Make sure your team knows the resources that are available to them through work. You may have team members who don’t realize the help that’s available through Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) that are part of many benefits packages.
Perhaps most importantly, open the door to conversation, and then be willing to listen without giving back advice, offering solutions, or suggesting next steps. Just listen. Let your staff share what they are feeling in a safe, non-judgemental, non-prescriptive place.
That last part is hard. As business leaders, you like to make things happen. You know how to make plans. Rally resources. Implement. Take action. I get it. I’m like that too. But we can’t make this end faster than it will. It’s a marathon.
We still have miles to go, but we will get to the other side of this. And by all accounts, we may be in for some very strong economic growth for the next few years. Let’s do these simple things to make sure we get there with our teams as healthy as possible, in mind and in body.
