Hello! I'm Meico. I'm a recovering workaholic who helps changemakers improve their well-being and increase their well-doing.
Subscribe to get regular insights on increasing your well-being so you can sustainably increase your well-doing in changing the world.
Re: Managing Your Team’s Post-Election Stress
|
Hey Reader, This week may be one of the most stressful of the year with year-end projects picking up and the election weighing on you. If you and your team are experiencing a roller coaster of emotions, know that this is a very real and normal response. The key is to understand that you’re not broken; you’re simply having a human reaction to fear, anxiety, and uncertainty. In fact, research shows that employee engagement and productivity can decline post-election due to heightened stress, uncertainty, and polarization. As you process the results, here are some actions you can take to help your team stay supported and focused. Affirm your teamIn turbulent times, fears may get the best of us. Reaffirm your team, reminding them of your shared mission and why the work you do together matters. Show them that their efforts are appreciated and impactful. Your team needs to know that you’re there to support them and that you're working alongside them to navigate this tough election season. Create spaceDuring high-stress periods, providing space and time for employees to decompress can be very beneficial. Consider how you can offer more flexibility to your team. Here are some ideas:
Plan for post-election communicationBe ready to communicate with your team within 24-48 hours of the results. You don’t need to have all the answers, but share what you do know and commit to providing updates as you have more clarity. This is also a chance to acknowledge that team members may experience a range of emotions about the election outcome—and that’s okay. Consider the following questions as you prepare your communication:
Provide supportAsk your team what they need and be responsive to these needs. For example, if your organization offers mental health benefits, an Employee Assistance Program (EAP), or initiatives like the Election Resilience Circle for Mission-Driven Professionals, remind your team about these resources. No matter what comes next, remember you are smart, strong, and resilient. While some circumstances are beyond your control, you do have control over how you respond to them.Dharma teacher Kaira Jewel Lingo, in We Were Made for These Times, describes it this way: One of the things that can make navigating times of transition and challenge even more difficult is when we resist the changes coming at us or we think there’s something wrong with our life, or with us, when the road gets bumpy. We may believe that life is not supposed to be this way. But transition and challenge are a part of life. I couldn’t agree more. You were made for times such as this. Keep doing the good work, Meico P.S. If you're feeling stressed out by the election, join us on election night. Instead of tuning into the results, we'll be turning within and tapping into our natural resilience.This is a free virtual open space I'm hosting for people to drop in and do some guided exercises to help ease anxiety, share some practical strategies for dealing with election season at work, and create a self-care plan for taking care of ourselves and our teams regardless of the election outcome. In these interactive gatherings, we’ll: Don’t face election stress alone—join us and leave feeling renewed and empowered to navigate the season ahead of us. Feel free to share this email and invite friends and colleagues to join you in this experience. Register free at mindfultechie.com/circle Did someone forward this email to you? Subscribe for free here! |
Hello! I'm Meico. I'm a recovering workaholic who helps changemakers improve their well-being and increase their well-doing.
Subscribe to get regular insights on increasing your well-being so you can sustainably increase your well-doing in changing the world.
Hey Reader, Life feels like a bumpy ride lately, doesn’t it? The past season has been intense while fighting for change in a world that so often resists it. For many of us, this has been one of the hardest seasons of our lifetimes. With shifting budgets, layoffs, policy changes, and bracing for the next shoe to drop, it’s been challenging to ground yourself in what seems like a groundless world. What you’re experiencing is likely complicated by our collective anxiety or a shared feeling of...
Hey Reader, It’s hard to believe summer is almost over and year-end is just around the corner. If you’re struggling to catch your breath as you brace for what’s next, you’re not alone. I believe we’re experiencing collective anxiety—a shared feeling of unease, fear, and apprehension as we enter a new season of uncertainty and navigate this heavy moment. The harsh reality is there’s never a "right" time for change, disruption, or challenges. But they are a natural part of life and work. The...
Hey Reader, Given the state of the world, I’ve been reflecting a lot on the nature of change. During the 2016 election, I was the communications lead for an association focused on ending HIV and hepatitis. There was the initial shock by many as the results were confirmed. Shock turned to anxiety and fear of funding cuts, program rollbacks, and the undoing of hard-fought progress. Then a sobering reality set in. The need for our work was still immense, and the work needed to keep moving...