Is bravery the key to fulfilment at work?

In my view, yes. I believe they go hand in hand.

Recent statistics* suggest almost one in four workers are planning an imminent job change. And this month, my wife was one of them. Honestly, watching her smile about work again got me a bit emotional.

She’d been at the same place for 12 years. The leap was a brave move. But it was just what she needed, and it paid off.

The same week, I was chatting to a friend who also felt stuck in his role. He was unhappy but hadn’t yet jumped. I could see his next move needed bravery.

?Then bizarrely – they say good things come in threes - I also found myself watching the movie Soul recently. The film is about making the most of life, and it got me thinking.

Making a change to go after something more fulfilling in life or work, takes bravery. And, generally, we accept that the desire for, and risk of, change lies with us as individuals. An adapted Eric Hanson quote on one of my wife’s leaving gifts was a great reminder of this.

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“What if I fall? Oh, but my friend, what if you fly?”

?But we have a problem. The desire for a better, more fulfilling, work experience is resulting in a “great resignation” worldwide. So, don’t we, as employers, have a responsibility to meet this same challenge with bravery too?

?I think we do.

I want to begin with exploring what it means to be brave. Having recently read Living Brave Leadership – By Guy Bloom** I am trying to live my life with bravery. And the first thing I think of is action. Courage to do something even if it’s difficult, uncomfortable, or there is risk.?

?But, on reflection, I think it’s equally about pausing. If you want to win a race, time in the pit stops enhances time on the track. It’s easier to see what’s really going on around you when you pause, despite the pressure to keep moving, or even just get started.

?My personal experience of this was before I moved to a new role - and region - at the start of the pandemic. Even though it felt uncomfortable to change direction, pausing to consider what I needed next to find fulfilment in my work, meant I could see it was the right thing for me. Sometimes stopping and being honest about where we are as employers is helpful in the same way. I believe taking time to pause and evaluate is both a brave move, and an essential thing to do.

I also think bravery is about being more authentic. Truer to the things that matter to us and more honest about what we stand for and where we want to be. Yes, as an individual, but as employers too.

?People are choosing organisations based on what they stand for. According to Deloitte*** just under 50% of Millennials and Gen Zs made choices about who they work for, or what they do, based on ethics over the past two years. But are we, as employers, brave enough to stand for the things that matter to people?

?We need to pay attention to what they are. Deloitte expands on these as:

?·????????Acknowledging the impact of the pandemic on working women

·????????Re-evaluating hiring and retention to promote diversity and inclusion

·????????Reconsidering the role of the employing organisation re employee’s financial stress

·????????Continuing to respond to climate change

·????????Prioritising resources around mental health and creating cultures where it’s ok to acknowledge stress.

?If we claim to be people-focused, we must be brave enough to respond to these issues with honesty. To give people a choice about whether they align with our organisation’s standpoint so they can be authentic, and feel fulfilled, and support its success.

Employers are offering more freedom, flexibility and putting an employee’s priorities centre stage to retain talent. And rightly so. But there is a risk that comes with giving people more autonomy and room for growth. People may make decisions we don’t agree with. They may develop their skills and go. But if we hold on too tight, we may have nothing left when we open our grasp.

I believe to be brave is to always choose to help people to fulfil their potential and grow. Even if that means supporting them if they go.

To give people every opportunity to feel fulfilled, challenged and valued in their work, we need to be brave.

?What does brave action look like to you?

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