Life is unpredictable. Everyone experiences highs and lows;  it’s the nature of being human. In today’s vlog, @lornerubis and I talk about how to navigate the workplace while dealing with personal matters. We also discuss how organizations can facilitate and support their people in these times.

Now more than ever, our personal lives are becoming intertwined with our professional lives. Yet often organizations set rules and limitations that hinder people from truly taking care of themselves. This can harm work quality, productivity, and customer care.

The reality is that every single one of us will be affected at some time by something: the death of a family member, a natural disaster, or other personal difficulty. We all go through “lows” and need room to properly deal with our situations without worrying about whether it will cut into our personal or vacation time.

Organizations are more than the products they sell or the services they provide. At their core, organizations are made up of human beings. As human beings, we get the opportunity to define how we support and care for each other.

The first step to navigating a stressful situation is to recognize when you need help and support. Don’t ignore issues because you feel it’s your duty to “just keep going” – this will be a disservice to you and your organization. Instead, ask for what you need in a genuine and authentic way.

On the flip side, leaders must also embrace compassion. Don’t forget that one day you too will be in a stressful situation and need the support of your team! Create environments where employees can ask for help when they need it without feeling like they’re putting their work at risk.

Here’s to disrupting sameness and achieving #betterwork together.

Lynette