Alchemy with Marichen

Dear Beloved Readers,

NOTE:  You are receiving this since you've been a client, or contacted us for a quote, or subscribed yourself. If you don’t want to receive the occasional letter from us, simply unsubscribe - We don't intend bugging anyone!

Wishing you & yours a truly blessed 2022.

Thank you for allowing to connect with you via newsletter, usually 3 times a year, with updates, research (see below) and insights to help support you.

Ralph Waldo Emerson : “The only person you are destined to become is the person you decide to be”.

MY INVITATION - WHAT IF...

What if you go into this year with an open mind and heart, with energising self-care practices, trusting yourself and others, growing constructive team relationships (to create safe and fruitful environments)?

What if 2022 becomes your most fulfilling year yet?

Uncharted waters urge us to embrace the heart of an explorer. As Christopher Columbus said: “You can never cross the ocean until you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”, and I add, even if you are afraid".

ABSA senior team building with Marichen: fun Moroccan Cooking Theme!

RETURNING TO THE OFFICE

Leaders are keen for staff to return to work, and in some industries client-facing processes continued throughout the pandemic.

In research done by McKinsey, one in three employees surveyed said that their return to work negatively impacted their mental health, giving examples of depression, general distress and feelings of anxiety. In America, 76% of workers are suffering from burnout, with more than half naming the pandemic as a major contributing factor.(*1)

The burning question is: How do we manage this period of re-integration in a way that ensures our people are energized and productive?

How to ease employees back into returning to their workplaces:

• Conduct an overall survey - Understand your teams’ needs prior to returning to the workplace. If you have a small team, speak to everyone individually to assess their needs and concerns.
• Craft a way forward - Work with the relevant staff members by mindfully taking their concerns into consideration. Many organisations offer a mix of virtual and physical; some, especially knowledge-work organizations have opted to work either all-remote or work-from-anywhere) (*2)
• Design small-sized gatherings - returning employees will appreciate a less overwhelming space where they can connect, share experiences, discuss boundaries and co-craft a way forward. Small-sized gatherings remove anxiety around large departmental get-togethers and provide employees with a gentler return from their protective home “bubbles” of the past two years.
• Establish conducive team practices - employees potentially reeling from shock and disruption, can develop a positive psychological mindset to move forward beyond the trauma endured.
• Manage scope creep - many employees have experienced scope creep leading to burnout and in some cases resignations. Leaders should assess and rectify loads to prevent fatigue and turnover.
• Create a space for uninterrupted deep work - employees find that they are now working longer hours, moving from meeting to meeting, with little time to focus on strategic priorities. Some companies use “Teams-free-Fridays” or “no-meeting Wednesdays”. Do a meetings audit: Are all the meetings necessary? Who should attend versus simply be kept in the loop? Is there a more effective way to accomplish goals?
• Create space to recharge and recover - Some firms have chosen to have a roster over a specific time where team members take a long weekend and do not return to a stressful barrage of emails and meetings. Employees report that they felt appreciated and more productive upon their return.
• Have some fun together - Find preferred shared activities to generate camaraderie and connection, e.g., an afternoon hike, a creative team-building, or an equine-assisted leadership experience. This helps create a deeper understanding of each other.

Sources:

(*1) Harvard Business Review Article: Don’t let returning to the office burn out your team by Rahaf Harfoush

(*2) Harvard Business Review Article: Our work-from-anywhere future by Prithwiraj Choudhury

Recent feedback from Jaco Burger, GM Property Management, NAFPROP, 2021:

"Marichen was engaged a number of years back to assist our EXCO to become a more cohesive unit. It is testimony to her skills that despite the challenges faced in light of COVID, having to navigate individual and group sessions on virtual platforms etc., the Nafprop EXCO are still intact and stronger than before. Without Marichen's engagement, this would not have been possible. In addition and very importantly, she is an extremely kind person as well as a great listener."

Finally, my word for 2021:

Wisease = wisdom with ease.

May you all be filled with the quality of “wisease” this year as you move ahead with kindness and compassion, whilst creating success.

I wish you all of the best as you transform your work spaces into spaces of creativity and collaboration and pockets of excellence. If you require assistance in setting up an ideal workspace which harnesses the creativity and excellence of your teams, please do not hesitate to contact me.

All the best, until we meet again,

Marichen (Cell: 083 677 6677)

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