Caring will always matter

Anyone reading this is probably tired.?It has been a HARD year (immediately behind another incredibly challenging year), and whether your 2021 so far has been GOOD or BAD – it has likely been challenging in many ways. The common denominator for most of us is that we are all working through less-than-optimal conditions – regardless of our industry – and we are all human.

Here is some “keeping it real” advice regardless of your role – show people you care.?Sounds simple – I know – but how soon people forget that basic actions really do matter.?

Hitting goals is great!?Crushing it in whatever you do is amazing!?Creating new products, new solutions, solving big problems – all fantastic!??But showing people that you care during one of the most challenging times in the history of the world – well that’s WAY more impactful to the people getting it all done every day.?And yet, there are gaps happening as people ease back in to the “normal” work life, and I see the cracks happening in people’s armor as the world continues to tick along.

Leaders – It is your JOB to take care of your teams.?Period.?That’s why you’re in a leadership role.?It isn’t only about what you aspire to do, be, or accomplish.?If your teams see that you don’t care about them or their families (or how their job impacts their families), you will not get their maximum efforts.?

Teams – Caring can happen in numerous ways; a quick note to someone that goes above & beyond (handwritten note is a bonus!); acknowledgement to someone’s manager about a situation that made a positive impact on you; a small token of appreciation like a gift card for lunch/dinner to say thank you………just taking a few minutes to acknowledge someone else will always be the right thing to do.

Let us not forget about the people side of work as the world begins to open back up again.?The impact of being a caring person and being intentional in how you use that super power – it will always matter.?