Jann’s Jottings #13
Jann’s Jottings # 13
“The most practical pages for perusal on the web”
Jotting (defn): short details of significant events, behaviours and conversations about wellbeing, growth, and career.
Wellbeing Jot: Correction not Perfection
The Olympics is under way and each day we marvel at the strength and prowess of the elite athletes. All of them compete and only one wins the gold medal, however all of them show up to do their best. These athletes have three attributes that keep them training and striving: focus, correction and determination. To look after our own wellbeing, we first need to focus on what is important such as putting our health needs first such as exercising regularly and choosing the apple over the chocolate bar. Secondly. we need to aim for correction not perfection. In seeking correction, we need to identify those areas where we can do better because the areas where we trip up, or make excuses, are the areas where we need to grow up and take responsibility for our own wellbeing. Thirdly, looking after our wellbeing requires determination. Determination looks like no matter the obstacle that shows up, like those athletes, we don’t give up.
So be inspired by the athletes and as we move into longer, warmer days, sharpen your focus, correct your course and be determined to look after your own wellbeing. Your future self will thank you.
Ponder this: How does having good health and wellbeing influence all the other areas of my life?
Growth Jot: Combination of Strengths
How often do we compare ourselves to others? I know I am prone to this, and I know I am not alone. Instead of comparing myself to others in one strength I am learning to look at my unique combination of strengths. It is our unique combination of strengths that sets us apart. The intersection of where our unique experiences, strengths, attributes and skills are found is what we offer to our world. It is the combination of our strengths that enables us to fulfill our personal purpose and be the life-giving person in the place we are that leads to satisfaction and results. You are valued for your combination, your uniqueness and your presence.
Ponder this: What other strengths can you bring that your situation needs?
Don’t hide your light, we need all of you!
Career Jot: Relationship Debt
I have been reading a lot about a concept called Relationship Debt. This term has been recently coined by a brilliant coach and friend, Johanna Lundgren from Sweden. You may have heard of the emotional bank account (Gottman) we may have with another person where we make deposits and withdrawals in our emotional interactions. Relationship debt refers to a similar concept but within organisations.
Relationship debt occurs when we feel a cumulative emotional and physical strain, uncertainty and anxiety resulting from ongoing unresolved issues or conflicts in our workplace. Causes tend to be constant work overload, unrealistic timelines, insufficient or inconsistent leadership or system support and unmet expectations. Toxic behaviours such as gossiping, contempt, stonewalling and conflict erode trust and foster resentment, frustration and de-motivation (Cann et al. 2023). Unresolved, long-term relationship debt where the employee is expected to keep giving with little support eventually leads to burnout.
Companies such as Google and Microsoft are taking relationship debt seriously and are focusing on enhancing psychological safety, improving support and fostering a culture of recognition, with great success.
Supporting employees to mitigate relationship debt includes:
Clear, consistent, timely communication with context
Fairness and equity in workload allocation
Supporting employee wellbeing through creating belonging and community
Making time to laugh together to build connection
Practicing mindfulness
Coaching, leadership training and employee education will help. Let’s chat.
And if you want to know more about Relationship Debt, reach out and I’ll put you in touch with Johanna at Better Leaders, she is the expert.
Ref: Cann, R., Sinnema, C., Daly, A. J., & Rodway, J. (2023). A contextual approach to designing, implementing, and adapting a wellbeing program: A case study of the MARKERS Wellbeing Program for educators. International Journal of Applied Positive Psychology, 9(1), 301-325. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41042-023-00123-4
“You are loved, valued and worthy. Keep up the great work!”
