22 Jul Is it OK to feel lost at work?
As some of you may well know, my new book, “Lost & Found – how to wander your way to a better life” hit the shelves AND the Audible app just a few weeks ago!
In short, it’s about finding yourself in all those lost moments, accepting failure and imperfection, knowing that these are just parts of being human, and embracing the wonderful mess and chaos of life!
But what, if anything, could this have to do with working or our professional lives?
Well, as it so happens, A LOT!
In the book I cite research that supports the proposition that positive organisational cultures that allow people to fail safely, and support them to learn and grow through this, are more successful and productive, and their employees are more engaged and motivated.
Further, leaders and managers who admit to failures and imperfections, who’re more vulnerable and authentic, are rated more highly by colleagues when it comes to trustworthiness, likability, respect and more.
In short, the best workplaces and the best employees (at every level) don’t always need to know everything, or what they’re doing all the time. Rather, the best workplaces and people find something of value within all the various moments of being lost and uncertain, and from there, they often find something better than they’d ever imagined, and better than if they’d just stayed on the safest, most trodden path.
What do you think? Have you ever failed and then become better or wiser through learning? Have you ever made a mistake that’s surprisingly become a success?