| We’re all responding to the Covid pandemic in our own ways. Some have adjusted to it, some are living in fear, some are resisting mask mandates, some still think it’s a hoax… others fall somewhere on the spectrum. One thing many are experiencing is a form of grief. I heard from a number of people last week that they’re feeling somewhat depressed. Yet others are rolling with it, doing what they can each day to make the best of their situation. I read a thought-provoking article, “Helping Your Team Heal,” in Harvard Business Review and want to share it with you. It may help you think about the different stages of “grief” your co-workers are experiencing and how it may affect them as they work with others. The author, David Kessler, described as the world’s foremost expert on grief, identifies three levels of grief to be aware of when interacting with others: —The worried well – they haven’t had the virus and don’t know anyone who has but are “grieving losses of work, normalcy, opportunities and events.” Some are experiencing “anticipatory grief – deep anxiety in which the mind imagines future losses… and the effect on loved ones. Within this group are minimizers and maximizers. Minimizers cope by denying the severity of the situation orhoping deeply, nervously, for the best. Maximizers imagine the sky is falling. The truth lies somewhere between the two points of view. Work helps each group balance their minds.” —The affected “who were sick themselves or know someone who was sick but has recovered or will recover. These people haven’t just imagined trauma – they’ve experienced it. They will benefit from accommodation and validation. Some may need counseling and other support mechanisms.” —The bereaved “have lost a loved one, are grieving a death, and will be dealing directly with the five stages of grief. Many of them will be far from acceptance.” Consider situations where employees at any combination of these levels are working together. Picture a “minimizer” with a “bereaved” and an “affected.” Imagine their conversations prior to meetings starting or if one doesn’t respond as expected during a discussion, or something slips on project commitments. “Not everyone will be at the same stage at the same time. Employees, leaders, managers, and organizations need to recognize this,” Kessler says. Where are you and those close to you? What can you do to raise awareness to help your people with this? This article provides some suggestions and examples that will help you think about it. https://hbr.org/2020/07/emerging-from-the-crisis#helping-your-team-heal |
