In my last few post, I've mentioned a recent interview with Seth Godin. The distinguished author and entrepreneur doesn't shy away from delivering insights that rattle the status quo. One particular quote that has me thinking goes as follows:

"I've heard that organizations are understaffed and overworked. I don't think that this is largely correct. I think what happens is a lot of organizations are over-managed and over-meeting. I think there is an enormous amount of time spent on bureaucracy and being corporate and industrial. This is a race to the bottom. And the problem with a race to the bottom is you may win. We need to pivot and have a race to the top."

This observation is food for thought, especially in the context of today's widespread challenges – employee burnout, management burnout, escalating workplace anxiety, and a general decline in mental health. Our organizations may not be as understaffed or overworked as we believe; they may simply be 'over-managed' and 'over-meeting.' In essence, are we drowning ourselves in a sea of bureaucracy and corporate formalities to the detriment of productivity and well-being?

The concerning fact is that a heavy reliance on administrative processes often makes organizations lose sight of what truly matters - people. As we race towards the bottom, engaging in counterproductive practices, the well-being of our employees and their mental health may be compromised, causing detrimental impacts on both individuals and organizations. In this race, Godin warns us, we might actually win, but at what cost?

Perhaps it's time we reassess our organizational priorities. Let's question the systems and processes we've become so accustomed to, those that we assume to be 'just the way things are.' Are they serving us, or are they impeding our progress and dampening the morale of our teams?

As Godin suggests, we need to pivot, to turn the tide and initiate a 'race to the top.' This shift requires a fundamental change in how we perceive and approach work. We must foster environments where individuals can thrive, where their well-being is considered paramount, and where there's a balance between getting things done and maintaining sanity. A race to the top means fostering innovation, collaboration, flexibility, and above all, empathy in our workplaces.

The conversation around mental health, burnout, and anxiety at work is far from over. As leaders, let's take this moment to reflect on how we can foster a culture that values people over processes, encourages open dialogues around mental health, and treats burnout not as a sign of employee failure but as a symptom of systemic issues that need addressing.

In the end, we may find that this 'race to the top' not only leads to happier, healthier teams but also to more successful, sustainable organizations. The question is, are we ready to make that pivot?

By Dean Miles

Keywords: Business Continuity, Coaching, Mental Health