GrokTalk Blog

May 25, 2020, was a day we’ll never forget. I remember the pain and heartache I felt learning witnessing the horrific murder of another Black person at the hands of police. On top of the pain that we were already feeling about the global pandemic and the lockdown, it just felt like too much. And I grieved that all of us were living in a world where something like that could happen, could still happen, after all these years and decades of equal rights talk and activism. Unfortunately, talk and activism weren’t enough to save George Floyd’s life — to give him the breath he called out for, the breath taken away from so many others before him.

For a company to grow and thrive, it needs to have a culture that encourages innovation. That can only happen if employees feel that it is safe for them to take risks at work. 

Identifying workplace stressors ranks among the crucial issues facing modern industry leaders. Fast-paced technologies and increased drives to complete more tasks at a rapid pace prove counterproductive in the long run. That’s largely because frontline workers experience symptoms of stress, anxiety, and develop an aversion to being at work. Today’s thought leaders have a unique opportunity to pivot away from outdated models that pretend workplace stress doesn’t hamstring the organization. By identifying workplace stressors and making positive change, organizations are better equipped to succeed.

Workplace culture is the backbone of every company. It’s what defines your organization and allows you to create an identity that you can communicate to your employees, customers, and the general public.

In March 2020, the entire world stopped. Countries worldwide started to take the COVID-19 virus seriously. Many companies stopped functioning normally and had to pivot to running digitally. Some organizations didn’t make it during the past year — and many employees continue to struggle with stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.

The number of employees struggling with addictive substances has surged since 2018. Nearly half of American workers abused substances, and the number of people who were absent due to alcohol and substances almost doubled through 2020. The issues with drugs and alcohol in the workplace don’t even account for the overuse of prescription drugs.  

Let’s face it, a bad case of the Mondays, as coined from the cult classic Office Space, is a serious affliction shared by workers all around the world. We live in a labor-intensive society that often leaves us craving the freedom of the weeknd and resenting the start of the work week. This naturally makes Mondays one of the most hated and fraught days of the week, but what if it doesn’t have to be?

It’s essential to recognize that community members who come together to further their economic and social benefits through work have similar interests. These typically include paying for a more comfortable lifestyle, raising a family, and planning for retirement, among others. Despite these inherent common goals, not everyone enjoys the same level of corporate input and respect. When underrepresented team members are not afforded an equitable voice in an organization, it’s crucial that colleagues support them. Perhaps the best way to promote a fair and diverse business environment involves learning how to be an ally in the workplace.

Some industry leaders inspire positivity at work because of their inherent communication and lead-by-example skills. Although charismatic people appear to have a natural ability to develop compassionate and supportive environments, there are ways other hard-working professionals can also create positivity at work. One of the driving reasons behind this modern-day culture shift stems from indications that positive workplaces are more likely to succeed in qualitative and quantitative ways.

Even with activities and events in place (retreats, bi-weekly happy hours, team-building activities, etc.) to encourage camaraderie, community, and a positive work environment, there’s still a chance that some toxicity can enter your office and negatively impact employee wellbeing. 

Industry leaders continue to scrutinize culture change in the workplace as many millennials’ attitudes about earning a living no longer jibe with yesteryear corporate models.

It’s National Autism Awareness Month — or, as many autistic people prefer, Autism Acceptance Month — and the perfect time to talk about neurodiversity in our organizational hiring practices and culture-building efforts. This is especially critical right now, as we’re working to establish post-pandemic norms to accommodate a workforce that has transformed so much over the last year. There’s a call to action to pay more deliberate attention to the roles diversity and inclusion play in not only attracting and retaining talent, but driving employee engagement, productivity, and wellbeing.