Guest: Leslie Barber, Founder of Grief Warrior and Grief Coach

Leslie covered a ton in a short amount of time! Here’s the TLDW;
(or you could just hit play!)
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Navigating Personal and Professional Dynamics:
Leslie doesn’t reconcile personal and professional aspects but brings her whole self to
work, holding contradictory emotions simultaneously. She advocates for an integrated approach to work-life balance, emphasizing the importance of embracing vulnerability and acknowledging both beauty and darkness in life.

Approach to Conversations on Personal News at Work:
Leslie advises against immediately jumping into “fix it” mode when someone shares personal news, instead advocating for active listening and compassion.
She recommends avoiding cliché phrases and focusing on naming, acknowledging, and validating grief while offering specific forms of assistance.

Fostering a Culture of Compassion and Empathy:
Courage is essential in initiating conversations about personal challenges in the workplace. Starting with believers and leaders who have experienced hardship can pave the way for broader discussions and cultural change. The goal is to listen, acknowledge, and respond with empathy, similar to how one would react to other life events like pregnancy.
Training and conversations around grief and personal challenges can positively impact employee well-being and engagement.