Writers Corner: May 2024 Edition

Hello friends! I am back for another edition of the Writers Corner. I'm taking a different direction and sharing part of a post that I shared on LinkedIn at the end of last summer about work-life balance and organizations shifting their culture to uplift rest as a practice. Hopefully you appreciate the opportunity to reflect on the questions below as they apply to you.

The photo below is from our organization's new headquarters in a historic building that's been a major renovation and groundbreaking innovation in the city of Milwaukee. Our floor has great long range views of the city.

"My organization Greater Milwaukee Foundation is currently observing a respite period to allow staff to rest proactively and prioritize wellness as a collective. As this period comes to a close, I am reflecting with a grateful heart for this precious gift of time and hoping that more of this becomes the norm. Our work culture in this country that seems to celebrate a very specific, unhealthy sense of urgency and hyperproductivity over balance and a growth mindset, needs more people leaders that counteract the status quo and are willing to redefine what productivity looks and feels like. Kudos to organizations like Emerging Practitioners in Philanthropy (EPIP), and African Visionary Fund for doing this with their staff and centering rest and for leading by example. I’m lifting these powerful words below, and hoping that more of us will produce more bountifully, thoughtfully, and consciously because we have rested. Also, kudos to philanthropic initiatives to raise awareness and resources to support this cause. 

Things to consider:

-Individual contributors: How can you show up differently to show that rest is a priority for you, and use your influence to center this value?

-People leaders: How can you make changes in your organization or team that encourage staff to rest more, which will in turn ideally improve productivity? 

-Philanthropic organizations: How can you take steps to increase the flow of resources toward initiatives that center rest or other aspects of wellness?"