What’s happening with people today? I mean, really, what is going on? We are overwhelmed by our jobs, by life itself, our responsibilities as parents, rising crime rates, and the divisions among those with differing ideologies. Every time I think I’ve seen it all, something new emerges, leaving me shaking my head in confusion. In response to some of the incredible situations that arise in HR, a former coworker would often give me a quizzical look and say, “What is happening? What is actually happening?” All the while, he would wear a grin, frequently followed by, “You can’t make this stuff up…” Yes, we both work in HR, and it was always astonishing to witness the absurdities. It became a source of humor amidst yet another challenge for HR.
It’s not just HR that’s burning out. I’ve observed this phenomenon across various fields since the pandemic. The disconnection is evident in both personal and professional spheres. We now have more interactions with screens than with one another. Many of us have seen varying degrees of disengagement. Technology isn’t the enemy; rather, it offers incredible data and efficiency. Artificial Intelligence is revolutionizing our landscape daily in a positive and even astonishing way! While I’m not here to debate the pros and cons, I acknowledge that when used correctly, technology is essential for success. Instead, the prevalence of heads buried in screens may indicate a deeper, cross-generational disengagement. I argue that most people feel overwhelmed in at least one area of their lives. Are you feeling overwhelmed? What’s causing your stress?
Why are we all feeling so overwhelmed, and more importantly, what can we as team members and leaders do about it? The root causes are complex and varied, but here are my thoughts:
How many people do you know, including yourself, who have said, “The world has lost its mind” or “The world’s gone crazy?”
How many memes circulate about employees feeling undervalued, misunderstood, and wanting to quit?
Why is work seen as the adversary?
Why are there so many sarcastic posts about meaningless pizza parties at work instead of genuine trust, recognition, and compensation?
People are experiencing sensory overload, and withdrawal can be a natural reaction—a part of our fight-or-flight response. Most of us can relate: we want to run away, retire, or change careers. Disengagement and withdrawal are contagious, stemming from being overwhelmed by life in general, not solely work. Sometimes instead of withdrawing it’s a fight response, a contagious negativity, like a cancer to a team. This effect reaches beyond the individual; studies show that children of parents who are withdrawn at their workplace, statistically experience increased trouble in their schooling and behavior at school. It really is contagious!
What can we do to cultivate positivity and create a workplace that energizes? Do we genuinely support work-life balance, or is it just lip service? Whose responsibility is it? This issue is often discussed from a leadership perspective, but some accountability lies with us as employees. We must not only show up but also re-energize ourselves daily. We must bring our “A” game most days. Can employees be part of the solution, and can we transform our workplaces into refuges where we find rejuvenation?
This is a profound topic with many nuances, and this is just the beginning of the conversation. Join me if you want to engage in this dialogue and are brave enough to ask, “How do we fix it?” I feel a spark of energy simply by saying it aloud, “What is actually happening?” 👥
