Supportive structures to be with the shakiness of what's about to come

When a significant loss has happened, or a big change is coming, it's essential to have a structure in place to help our people be with the shakiness of what's about to come.

On my morning walk in the woods today I was listening to the latest episode of Movers and Shakers, a podcast about life with Parkinson's.

Today's episode was about the importance of great bedside manner, particularly at the moment the patient is being told that they have (or may have) Parkinson's.

For the patient, it can be a confusing and scary time. They may feel like the ground has suddenly crumbled from under them and they don't know which way is up.

Medical professionals have an opportunity to help provide a supportive structure to help patients (and often their family members) to navigate this new phase of their life.

In the podcast episode, there was mention about having a multi-disciplinary care team to support the patient in those initial stages and then on an ongoing basis.

For a patient with Parkinson's this could include a psychologist, a physiotherapist, a neurologist and a nurse - all with specialisms or experience working with Parkinson's.

What could be the equivalent to these for the family when there's the sudden loss of a loved one, or in a corporate setting that's undergoing a strategic restructure or a digital transformation programme?

For example, supporting people during a digital transformation could require a team made up of:

• Change Management Lead
• Change Management Specialists/Consultants
• Communication Specialists
• Training Managers/Coordinators
• Training Facilitators
• Employee Engagement Manager
• Employee Advocates/Champions
• HR Business Partners
• Talent Development Specialists
• Employee Relations Specialists
• Employee Wellness Coordinators
• Inclusion and Diversity Leads
• Internal Communication Specialists
• Feedback Coordinators

If there's a strategic restructure and people are laid off, how about a team to provide emotional, legal, financial, and career-related support to employees during a challenging period of organisational change. This could include:

• Outplacement Consultants
• Career Coaches/Counsellors
• Legal Advisors (for employment law and severance)
• Financial Advisors (to assist with financial planning)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Coordinators
• Retraining/Reskilling Coordinators
• Redundancy/Transition Managers
• Benefits and Compensation Specialists
• Employee Hotline Support Staff

How about emotional support, guidance, and resources to help employees cope with the sudden loss of a colleague and navigate the grieving process while managing work-related responsibilities? The team could be made up of:

• Grief Counselors
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) Coordinators
• HR Bereavement Support Specialists
• Mental Health Professionals (Therapists, Psychologists)
• Peer Support Facilitators
• Chaplains or Spiritual Care Providers
• Health and Well-being Coordinators
• Communication Specialists for Internal Announcements
• Employee Wellness Coordinators
• Legal Advisors (for bereavement-related legal matters)
• Flexible Work Arrangement Coordinators (to accommodate the grieving process)
• Community Support Liaisons (connecting employees with local support services)

I get it - reading these long lists may feel daunting. But we don't have to have it all in place from day one. Maybe some of these are not needed at all.

But imagine how it would feel to be embraced by this supportive structure when given news that may feel like your world is being turned upside down.

Isn't it worth considering from now what kind of team you may want to stand up, so that your people can relax and feel supported?

Today, right now, we have an opportunity to lead our people, with compassion, curiosity and courage.