Happy Tuesday!

Today is (give or take a few days, depending on where you lived at the time) the five-year anniversary of the start of the lockdowns caused by a virus we hadn’t heard of before.

The days and weeks that followed changed our collective experience forever. Which is why today’s article is designed to help us understand how we changed and what we learned. Time spent reading it will be time well spent.

I’m also sharing my thoughts about the rise of people working two jobs – hopefully bringing a new perspective to you about that trend.

This means there’s an article urging you to look back, and an article about what’s happening today.

Which leaves the future – which is where my eyes are looking.

Next week when this newsletter arrives in your inbox, we will be celebrating the launch of my new book, Flexible Leadership: Navigate Uncertainty and Lead with Confidence. (Learn more and order your cop(ies) here.) It’s also the same day as our one-day Virtual LeaderCon Event.

If you don’t know, Virtual LeaderCon is a chance for you to learn from seven world-class thought leaders who will be answering my questions and yours live on a highly interactive and engaging virtual platform. If you haven’t attended a “VLC” yet, I promise it is the best access to thought leaders, and the most interactive and enjoyable virtual learning experience ever. (Details and free registration here.) It is free to join us that day, but when you buy two copies of the book, both you and the person you buy a book for get access to the recordings, transcripts and bonuses from the full day.

I’m biased but trust me – you will be glad you bought books for you and the other leaders you know plus getting all the fantastic content that is part of our special day.

If you love this issue, please forward it to someone you think would enjoy it. (Scroll to the bottom and see some ways you can get some gifts from us for doing so.) If you are reading it because it was forwarded, please subscribe here.

And then, hey, why not buy them a book too!

Make it a great day and remember…

You are Remarkable!

Kevin 😊

Do You Have Anyone Working Two Jobs?

I don’t mean working two jobs for you…

But yours, and another one too.

According to this article, 8.9 million American are working two jobs – 5.4% of the workforce.

In other words, a bunch of people have two jobs.

What does that make you think about?

On the societal level, it might be an interesting tidbit. Thinking about someone you know who is in the situation you might be understanding. If it is you with two jobs, you may feel justified. But what about with your leader hat on?

How would/do you feel if one of your team members has two jobs? And do you even know?

I'm guessing if you are a leader, you'd prefer they only had one job - the one you are paying them for.

The reasons people have more than one job are varied and complex. They might be working two jobs because they need the money, but that isn't the only reason. What are some other plausible reasons people are working two jobs?

➡️ Their first job pays the bills, but the second is to get ahead, pay off debt, or set them up for their own business.
➡️ They are bored in their "main" job.
➡️ They don't like their boss (is that you)?
➡️ They don't love the culture in their "main" job.
➡️ They are networking.
➡️ They are trying something new - they see it as a learning opportunity or career development play.
➡️ They like variety.
➡️ They are helping out a friend.

This isn't even close to a complete list, but any or several of these are reasons people might choose to have two jobs.

Here are some lessons for us as leaders...

💡 Make sure you know if people are working two jobs - not to be upset but to be curious.
💡 Find out their reasons why - again be curious.
💡 If it is monetary and you can help on your end with a raise, great.
💡 If their reasons are about you or the culture of your organization, take their perspective and feedback and learn from it.
💡 If their reasons are about variety, ask them if they would like more variety in their work with you, and look for ways to provide it.
💡 If their reasons are learning, or career advancement related, congratulate them and ask them what they are learning that applies to this job.
💡 If their reasons are different, address them - or at least acknowledge them.
💡 If their reasons have nothing to do with you, this job or the organization, let it go.

Remember - the reasons people might have multiple jobs are many, and they aren't all about you. So, stop judging them or assuming the worst.

My biggest point is that knowing if your people have a second job can help you empathize with them, build trust and relationship with them, and perhaps help you support them in their goals - whether in your organization or not.

Empathy, trust, relationship. Most of us want those things in our boss. And if we do that, everyone wins - the employee, all of their employers and you.

Reflecting on Covid – What Did You Learn?

As I write these words, Covid-19 became a part of most of our lives about 5 years ago. While the exact “anniversary” depends on where you live in the world, anniversaries are often a time for us to reflect on past events. And I believe we will benefit from reflecting on Covid. (I reflected on leadership lessons from these events one year ago.)

Covid-19 is a virus. It created a global pandemic. It caused or contributed to many deaths. It changed the world economy, impacted politics in most countries, and changed the way many of us work and how we think about it. While there is much that could be discussed in all those areas, that isn’t my goal in this article.

I want to help you in reflecting on Covid for yourself.

Thanks for reading. Please reply at any time with questions or feedback for our team.

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