I was saddened to learn that Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open Tennis Tournament because of depression. She’s a very public person in a very public sport, trained and practiced at playing at the top of her game. And yet the pressures of work got to her. She was hard working, constantly striving for excellence, susceptible to public and professional scrutiny, and human. Sound familiar? We’ve been talking a lot about the well-being of employees and the use of emotional intelligence when dealing with the stress of this past (or any) year. Competition – personal and organizational, can be brutal, and it can leave us isolated and groping for psychological safety and trust. Professional tennis has its contracts and rules, and yet you’d think this would have been a moment for them to empathize and set a good example. In the everyday world of work that most of us occupy, there’s probably more of this going on than we care to admit. Be aware of the signs of personal struggle in your workplace, talk about it, and let your team know it’s okay to seek help before it becomes an emergency. Google emotional intelligence and educate yourself or reach out to professionals who can guide you and your organization appropriately. Be ready to deal with employee well-being today.
Arnold H. Glasow (1905-1998): American Businessman and Humorist
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