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Leaders Leave Post Pandemic, Drop the Mic

I have heard this from across the board from many of my colleagues, they are leaving their jobs post pandemic. The United States Department of Labor recently found that more people are leaving their jobs this year than have in the last 20 years.

Why? 

• Burnout and stress are causing leaders to look for new jobs: More than half of managers and directors (53%) and executives (51%) say they will look for a new job in the next 12 months, while only 37% of individual contributors say the same. Burn out and high-stress jobs are two of the top reason’s employees say they are making the switch.
• Growth is the top driver for new career opportunities: The number one reason employees say they are leaving is because they want more growth opportunities, which does not come as a surprise, considering 60% of employees say their employer did not offer any professional development or training last year, and 64% say they were not offered networking or mentoring opportunities.
• Mentoring and training opportunities were not available to women: Seventy-two percent of women say their employers did not offer networking or mentoring opportunities during the global pandemic, compared to 55% of men. Additionally, 65% of women say they were not offered professional development and career training opportunities vs. 53% of men.

Source: https://www.qualtrics.com/blog/labor-shortage-study/.

I find this to be true for myself.  I felt burned out and highly stressed being a working mom who had to juggle being an essential worker, IT Support for kids, psychologist, cook, teacher, coach, etc.  My job was incredibly stressful at times and filled with multiple demands on my time as we all searched for protocols in the ever-changing Covid environment.  

My career growth opportunities at work looked dim, even prior to the pandemic.    Instead of being discouraged, I started an executive coaching program. Why a coaching program? Why not? So many great men and women had a coach. I needed to personally invest in me. So, if I wanted something greater, I had to invest.  Invest in me!!!  I think of Madam C.J. Walker, she had to believe in herself. She was a woman of color, and I was inspired how she took her seat, no one handed it to her. I am a Latina and have worked my entire life. Like C.J. Walker I was a laborer, I grew up mowing lawns, cleaning houses, cooking, secretary, etc.… However, I finally understood at 52, if I want to be promoted, I need to promote myself.  

As for mentoring and training opportunities, I had to search for other amazing powerful women to look to and build a network of women searching for something higher as well.   I had to look for mentors that prioritized what they wanted and what they needed.  The pandemic helped me reassess my priorities and become my own passionate advocate.  I believed in me. As women, we do not prioritize our needs.  Even when we are at a higher level, we are still expected to buy the cake for the party and be the office mom. No.  Why don’t the guys be the office dad?  We need to focus on setting boundaries and accept we will not be like by everyone. We will not be the most popular girl or even the nice girl.  We are responsible for our own self-care and self-advocacy; this is a message for men as well as women.  

I have become passionate about self -are and exercise.  Love, love, love that I do not have to rush off anywhere, I can have a time with God with coffee, exercise, meditate, then start my day. My stress has reduced dramatically, even though I am starting my own business.  I have been able to make cold calls with confidence, starting the design of my webpage, connect with colleagues, and just feel accomplished every day.  

As for growth, well, it all up to me, now. I feel excited, and I am betting on me. It feels great.  The sky is the limit and I know I am in control of all my networking, personal coaching, professional development, and career training opportunities. Through my alumni association, I got free access to LinkedIn Learning, and I am taking full advantage of all the professional courses they are offering.   All the things I wanted from an employer, I am now offering them to myself and to my employees.  I can create my own company culture where integrity, personal development, and self-care are essential.  I want to pivot to a model where I am an inspirational leader who strategically meet the needs of employee’s and balance it with the ability to make a profit.  Pray for me, everyone. This is the company culture I want to strive for.