Dear EverMore: How to Lead When the World Is Heavy
Updated: 6 days ago
Dear Readers & Listeners,
In Episode 8, we discuss how politics is in everything.
At work we rely on our employers and our jobs financially, emotionally, and socially, so the things that happen in the world are not distinct from work.
Companies that ignore this are ignoring the care that many need in these turbulent times.
This topic is near and dear to our hearts, because holding empathy when it’s inconvenient isn’t easy, but it’s necessary especially for those in power to do so.
Work already reflects politics.
Having worked in HR & People, we’re often expected to be apolitical, however, politics is woven throughout our role. It impacts—pay, benefits coverage, healthcare cost, leave, layoffs, compensation, minimum wage, and more.
The systemic biases and structural privileges that pervade politics also impact how people behave at work—the risks they take for themselves and the decisions they make about others (e.g., who gets hired, promoted, or listened to).
When these realities are ignored to keep a "pleasant" politics-free workplace, it can make some feel unseen, or worse, feeling unprotected.
What kind of person do we become when the systems around us ask us to betray ourselves?
Morality belongs at work.
When big (and small) injustices are happening around us, silence starts to feel like agreement.
We believe it’s important for leaders to say something when a difficult event occurs (whether globally, nationally, or locally), as well as be conscientious of how the work itself could affect their employees, workers, or society at large.
In the episode, we discuss:
How hard it is to speak up in the workplace when you’re early in a career, often out of fear of losing your job.
How layoffs affect our local communities, as well as the global economy.
How our societal norms and biases impact opportunity and compensation.
How it can be difficult to work for a company that uses unethical or questionable practices.
Showing care doesn’t have to be complicated
If you're a people leader or manager, it helps to be informed and/or create the space for someone to share that they're struggling. Even just knowing that a certain situation (e.g., election results) may impact someone is a good step.
When there's a heavy situation, try:
“Today might be a tough day for some of you.” It's a simple phrase but can help someone feel seen + understood. You're expressing awareness without pushing any particular viewpoint.
"Please be conscientious of others today.” All the different opinions, beliefs, and perspectives can make us better, but they can also hinder empathy.
When there's a collective, ongoing grief, try:
Being a consistent presence for your team—think before you react, be forthright, give feedback, show appreciation, celebrate wins. When the world feels unstable, having a predictable manager can be stabilizing.
Doing this well also means prioritizing your mental health as well.
If all else fails, I'll leave you with one of my favorite quotes from A Thousand Paths to a peaceful life by David Baird:
Speak from the heart. It's risky. It's unrehearsed. It's spontaneous. But it's honest.
xoxo,
Courtney @ EverMore
p.s. I’ve written a few articles on this topic 👇
Dear EverMore is a new podcast hosted by Courtney Branson & Kelsey Peterson. It explores how work shapes our humanity, identity, and futures. Season one features diary-esque confessions, guest speakers, and career advice plucked from their collective three decades in HR, hiring, and leadership.
