The Great Resignation... Reshuffle...

The Great Resignation... Reshuffle...

Forbes reported that, "‘The Great Resignation’ is a phrase we’re hearing a lot these days. It sounds ominous—and it is. Reports vary as to the extent of this mass quitting spree, with claims that anywhere from 40% to 75% of the workforce are actively planning to leave their current jobs for a better fit elsewhere. Employers are bracing themselves for the coming storm, and many are already feeling it."

As an employer of 60+ I am watching my team examine their personal priorities post pandemic and make decisions to reimagine and reshape their futures as a result.

I applaud that.

When I was going through a divorce in 2012, I was in my own personal ecosystem of change. That stormy time led me to make decisions that were the beginning of A2V / Shelf. It was life changing and life defining for me. So I understand entirely that events become catalysts for personal development and expanded horizons...

That understanding means I welcome resignations and reshuffles as part of the natural order of life. Here is why.

We use the word TEAM and not "FAMILY".

You do not get to choose your family. A family you can't really ever leave. Family sometimes are your hardest critics. You carry guilt around forgetting a birthday or not making the acceptable amount of effort at Christmas or other major events. Family dynamics are tough, and there is a level of "anything goes" - because you are really stuck with them... there is no escape. I say this as one of 7 siblings... and I know I am lucky as my family is mostly super relaxed, forgiving, accepting and pretty damn amazing (...what are the odds that at least one of my siblings will read this!)

BUT at work - we are a TEAM.

A TEAM gets selected, and is totally built for a bigger goal and vision. You go through rigorous processes to be chosen. You are chosen for your "fit" and for your "value add". It is a choice. You get to become part of something bigger than just you. Team members leave (and we miss them) - but they get to leave with our best wishes, and we keep in touch... With their departure, they create opportunity for our team to be reshaped by new team members joining and bringing with them incredible skills and perspectives that make our team stronger, and more adaptable.

When you stop referring to employees as family (and all the emotive language and sometimes unhealthy associations around that term) and think of them as this incredible fluid TEAM that is constantly evolving and building and adapting... then the thought of a resignation and a reshuffle becomes a win for everyone. You remove the feelings of guilt and fear when they want to leave. It becomes a welcomed opportunity to reinvent and reimagine what is possible... for both of you.

Making it SAFE and OK to leave is a responsibility we have as a business.

We have a culture and values around caring and always learning... and truly living those values, translates to cheering our team on when they look for new challenges to grow and develop... even if that means it is elsewhere.

When my very first employee resigned (Matt) I was thrilled for him. ALSO personally sad to be losing him... but mostly thrilled that he had the confidence to go build a career wider and wilder. I have watched his career develop - and we check in with each other... and I love that we want success for each other, and remember our roots and our part of the journey.

I am also going to miss the team members leaving - but fully support / champion a wanderlust Thailand year of exploring (I am totally tee-ing up a visit!) and a move into web rather than graphic design. What incredible reasons to be taking life changing decisions and making magic happen. I LOVE that.

There can be GOOD GOODBYES.

I am excited about the new team players joining us from January... they are raising the bar yet again on skills, attitudes, experience and energy. Our TEAM just gets better. I just feel like maybe we need a team t-shirt... (leave that with me!)

Becks x