Compensation and Benefits Director at Kendra Scott

Beth Ley

Unfortunately, there is no shortage of worries for HR professionals when it comes to challenges facing our teams. Whether it be inflation, stagflation, feelings of isolation from fully remote work, the great resignation, or burnout, I have spent many sleepless nights pondering how to help move work teams past this challenging time and into a brighter, more energized future.

My biggest concern, currently, is the intense feeling of fatigue that our teams are feeling. People are just tired. It is as simple as that. I say, rightfully so. The pandemic was an incredibly difficult time. As the world emerges, we all need time to decompress and recenter ourselves as we reflect on the many stressors that we faced over the past several years. Employers are essential in helping our teams to re-energize and re-invigorate.  

As a little girl, my father often told me, “Enjoy what you do, and you will never work a day in your life.” He also told me not to subscribe to the age-old wisdom that “All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” He understood something essential, that work and play do not have to be mutually exclusive. You can have both at the same time. When you achieve this, magic happens. Fatigue is replaced with energy and enthusiasm.

I am talking about something other than more work-happy hours or off-site events. Those are great, but if done in a different environment, can often feel like just one more thing on the to-do list. I am discussing creating a culture that encourages and rewards team members for bringing a playful mindset to work daily.

Play is where creativity happens; creativity is a supercharger to problem-solving and innovation, innovation drives results, and results (in an organization with the right values) create joy and a sense of purpose. It is cyclical, and it is beautiful to witness. This culture creates lightning in a bottle.

As I complete exit interviews, I have often heard, “I just needed to try something new.” That is a sign to me that the playful and creative spark was missing from the work environment. Or “I need to go find myself.” Let us pause for a moment and consider that one. The opposite of being found is being lost. Feeling lost brings up emotions of isolation, fear, and desperation. Again, this does not lend to someone working playfully and creatively. If you hear anyone on your team say one of these things, I encourage you to stop what you are doing at that moment. Hold space with them and help them talk it through. I assure you; that they will be immensely appreciative that you took heed to their warning signals and cared to listen and help find a pathway to a brighter future.

Recently, I walked up on a beautiful conversation my husband was having with our four-year-old daughter. They were talking about thinking. She is realizing that her mind has infinite possibilities for what she can imagine. I see this imagination, spark, and energy most when she is playing. It is beautiful to witness. Unfortunately, as adults, we must be more intentional about giving ourselves time to think. We must be mindful to approach work in a thoughtful, playful, and creative way.

Employers have the ability to create work cultures where people can thrive. Encouraging a playful, creative mindset is an unlock to company results and re-energizing our teams and ourselves.