Hi, everyone,

 It’s no secret that WFH has blurred, even eliminated, boundaries between work and life.

While there’s awareness around the mental toll this is taking for us all, there’s also a contradiction happening for many employees. 

On the one hand, leaders are saying one thing…practice self care! Take the time you need! Take breaks. Go for walks! Take PTO! And yet, many of my coaching clients are still seeing emails flying in fast and hot into their inbox come Sunday evening. 

 Leaders, Sunday Scaries are real...especially now. 

 We have to do better. Here’s how.

THE LANGUAGE OF LEADERSHIP

 “Being “always on” hurts results. When employees are constantly monitoring their email after work hours — whether this is due to a fear of missing something from you, or because they are addicted to their devices — they are missing out on essential down time that brains need.” - Maura Thomas

 While many leaders might argue it’s the employee’s responsibility to not look at emails on the weekend, let’s face it: there is an expectation to be connected and responsive, especially now when the threat of layoffs looms. Leaders, while it’s totally understandable to want to get a head start on the week, might I suggest that you write your email, save it to drafts, and then hit send Monday morning instead of Sunday night? This small action can make a huge impact in helping your employees truly disconnect on the weekends. P.S. Need more proof on the importance of disconnection? Check out this HBR article Why Your Late Night Emails Are Hurting Your Team.

THE WEEKLY FLOURISH

Article (5 Minutes)

Preventing Burnout is About Empathetic Leadership

At the very least, I suggest you have a conversation with your employee about weekend emails. For example, I’m personally pretty good at compartmentalizing work and my personal life, but many others may not be. Therefore, creating a new commitment (or psychological contract) for the best way to work and communicate with one another is worth revisiting especially now as we navigate this blurry WFH world. Like we explored in last week’s email, the key here is to demonstrate empathy. Remembering that only by stepping outside your own needs and actively listening to what others need can you cultivate new levels of trust and respect.

GREATNESS TAKES GUIDANCE

Dare to Lead Workshop

If you’re interested in not only learning - but getting a complete toolkit - for empathetic leadership, please contact us to learn more about the Dare to Lead™ Workshop based on the research of Dr. Brené Brown. Dare to Lead™ is an empirically based courage-building leadership program designed to be facilitated only by Certified Dare to Lead organizational development professionals. This Dare to Lead™ Workshop series, will help you: 

- Be the kind of leader others will want to follow

- Be the kind of partner/parent/friend you want to be

- Get results and be even more effective and productive

- Create a stronger, more effective team

- Tap into your values and lead authentically

Individuals who successfully complete the full Dare to Lead program will receive a Dare to Lead Trained badge that can be posted on their LinkedIn account.  Book a 30-min call to learn more!

To fright night only being reserved for Halloween, 

— Carrie and Team Leadology