Richemont

Clémence VANALDERWEIRELDT

We talk a lot about resignation, quiet or vocal, people leaving their jobs at an unprecedented rate. But what about what we all observe, and that is actually a problem of an entirely different scale: people staying in their jobs but wondering how they can continue forward like that? COVID is not the only one to blame here: the acceleration of technology, social media, time and distance reductions, climate change, or the polarisation of our political life… you name it. A day without emails is everything that makes the number one wish of our leaders, and almost all of us.

The feeling of being empty, no power left, is widely shared, and it will last. We are entering an era of energy supply shortage, and human energy as well is at risk.

So instead of trying to fix wellness issues – the question I would like to ask is, can we offer, in the work experience, resources to help keep employees balanced, in a physical and mental status that is healthy? Can we recharge our energy while working so that work is not just a Danaides’ barrel of energy?

If work comes with an effort tag, those are a few things that create more energy than they cost:

Believe in the potential of your team:

Nothing is more powerful than someone that believes in you. We all had the experience of a great leader, and how much we felt lifted by their trust… This is why learning and development can play such a critical role inside the organization; when you are empowering people to learn, you are also signaling to them the belief in their growth potential. This is a strong energy signal, and a key lever of retention.

"When you are empowering people to learn, you are also signaling to them the belief in their growth potential. This is a strong energy signal, and a key lever of retention"

1. Sharing a purpose:

For a very long-time, purpose was considered as a cherry on the working cake, the additional element that would crown a successful career where and when would fulfill all the obvious needs. But we know it’s not true. We observe very high-level jobs missing purpose and lower socially ranked jobs where individuals find a stronger sense of purpose. And normally, while employees do, even if their roles are challenging, the connectedness between the jobs and their impact is grounding, meaningful, and energizing. So, it is important to think about the impact of sharing it to individuals. Not only it gives them coherence, it also helps stream energy.

2. Kindness can go a long way:

Very often, the power of kindness in the work environment is dismissed as non-essential. But taking time and giving time are essential for the work. It creates binding social relationships and a sense of belonging. It does help the wellness of a team and balance the highs and lows we all go through. It is as simple and complicated as sharing a meal and celebrating small achievements. This is something my team teaches me every day, and for which I am very thankful.

Sustainable work?

If the only certainty is the uncertainty, and the volatility, of the world in which we will have to operate, it is urgent for all of us to think about sustainability, not just of the organization, but the sustainability of the work relation organisations propose to employees. We have to create a regenerative work structure and regenerative work experiences, where the energy people give will generate energy back to them and open up the door to wellness.