What the Great Resignation taught me.....

Recruiting has been an adventure over the last few years….from the Pandemic to the Great Resignation, change has been the only constant. I know years from now, we will read research on this time, learn about the psychological impact that 2020-2022 had on people and the world as a whole but for now, I wanted to share some of my thoughts and observations.

March of 2020 could be called the Pandemic but I would like to propose we think of it as the Era of Change. Why the reframe? A lot happened during this time other than the Pandemic. My daughter is an ICU nurse and it was and will remain one of the scariest times of her and my life. From decontaminating when she got home to protect my grandbabies to trying to keep patients alive at all costs, the pandemic was tragic. No one can argue that. However, this sense of impending doom fundamentally changed many of us. 

All of our fight or flight responses were activated simultaneously. Could that be why there was so much divisiveness? So much arguing and pointing of fingers? Could that fight or flight response have triggered the Great Resignation??

I believe it had a profound impact on people and what they deem important. Remote work and work life balance were already “trending” and a focus but earning a living was overriding our desire to find that balance. Then we are faced with imminent danger, the ability to work from home was no longer something that could be refused….People had to adapt. 

Not only did we adapt, many of us were experiencing growth and the opportunity to thrive in a world without a commute or without the constant interruption of others. Many were more comfortable in the confines of their own home and enjoyed being their naturally introverted self. People learned to use a variety of video conferencing platforms. Creative ways to engage teams were shared and people learned that connecting is more than proximity.

Some organizations and individuals took longer to adapt which is the case in any change environment as we know. Others jumped at the opportunity. Some longed for things to return to “normal” and others started referring to our “New Normal” 

As this change began to settle, the Great Resignation was in full swing….Was it due to the way companies handled Covid? Was it due to remote work versus work onsite? Was it really all about the money? Here is what I saw to be true…..

Money was not the initial driver….Being respected, feeling appreciated and safe as well as being part of something meaningful where common reasons among the thousands of candidates I spoke with in the last 2 years. In addition to that, people felt like they had more time for things that mattered. Commute is a big thing to many. Gas prices high, cars and insurance expensive, hours of travel daily…all reasons to choose remote. Getting back 10 hours a week is a lot of time to that working parent who has a household to manage or the executive that works 60 hours a week etc… All great reasons…

As people started to make moves, pack up and downsize their living space, retrofit vans etc, people learned that making a move will allow them for a pay increase and recognition. In a market that was short on talent, supply and demand were the candidate’s best friends. They realized they had options…why did this matter so much. Up until then, many felt as those they had none. They felt disrespected, used and undervalued. Career paths and advancement was not clear or even possible to many. They did not feel heard.   Happy employees don’t look outside for their next opportunity. 

So what does this teach us….relationships with staff and employers are very much like romantic relationships. Don’t wait for someone to tell you to treat them right. Do it from the start. Once they are asking to be treated well, they are already open to someone else treating them right. Don’t forget that your staff are people…they are not just staff. Adapt, pick your battles and lead with kindness. Be vulnerable. Be authentic and Be present. Listen to understand and not to just respond. Act in a manner that allows for business needs and human needs to both be met. Remember, we are all dealing with our own personal struggles in life. The Great Resignation wasn’t all bad. People united and employers listened. Hopefully, this time will continue to help us become better in many ways in the years to come. One thing is certain…..

Life as we knew it was permanently altered. We were different. Whatever different meant to each person, no one is moving on from 2022 without being touched or altered by this time.