Supporting Team Resilience During Political Challenges

Office politics everywhere. AND Project managers are shields. And I mean 𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗲𝗹𝗱𝘀 —protectors who keep their team safe from chaos beyond their control. Years ago, I stepped onto what seemed like an exciting tech project. Big goals, innovative systems, and brilliant people. But underneath? Oh boy. - Leaders favoriting their inner circle  - Peers competing for attention  - Ideas ignored, but strangely reappearing later—claimed by others I saw my team’s enthusiasm fading. They started second-guess thinking, holding back. And that’s where my role evolved. PMs 𝗱𝗼𝗻’𝘁 𝗷𝘂𝘀𝘁 𝗺𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗴𝗲 𝘁𝗮𝘀𝗸𝘀. They manage people, emotions, context. Sometimes, they manage battles no one even sees. Here’s how: → I became their voice.  Their wins? I made them visible. Their ideas? I championed them—loud and clear. → I built bridges.  Instead working against office alliances, I created connections. Between teams. Between leaders. Between factions. → I created space.  My team needed room. Room for creativity. Room for logic. Room away from constant politics that drained their energy. It’s like being an umbrella during chaos. You don’t stop every drop—but you shield enough so people keep moving forward. If you’re asking, 𝗵𝗼𝘄 𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗜 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁 𝗺𝘆 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗺?—remember this: 1/ Advocate. For their ideas, their efforts, their visibility. Give them credit, always.  2/ Be neutral. Don’t take sides. Don’t play games. Build trust through fairness.  3/ Focus big picture. Remind your team why their work matters. Politics shrinks motivation—purpose expands. Your team deserves someone fighting for them.

How do you help your team navigate their professional responsibilities while processing deeply concerning (read: abjectly terrifying) political developments? I wish I didn’t have so much experience at this, and I wish I’d had more tools and resources five years ago, because I really failed at this a lot. Now, we have some practices at Seed&Spark and Film Forward that make space for the rollercoaster of emotions and the stark new political realities that in many cases almost immediately impact our team members in some way. 1. First, acknowledge reality. We don't leave our humanity at the door when we come to work. When people are worried about their safety or the safety of their loved ones, pretending everything is "business as usual" only increases anxiety and erodes trust. 2. As a remote team, we acknowledge that we also may be feeling things very differently based on where we are. We may have to make space for certain team members who are, for example, living in the middle of a climate disaster one week and others who live near an active shooting the next week. This is the world we live in. So we do a “red yellow green” check in at the top of each meeting - everyone can state how they are showing up. And we can adapt how we are resourcing certain priorities (or just how much moral and professional support we are providing our colleagues) using that information. It builds trust and support in a team that rarely sees each other in person. 3. Make space (as in: PAID TIME OFF) for mental health needs and civic action. I put these in the same bucket because often civic action is a mental health support action as well: it keeps people connected to community and purpose. Is there really a meeting that is more important than people going out to fight for a better future? 4. Don’t shut down conversations about how hard this is. It’s perfectly reasonable to feel like showing up to work in most jobs is playing violins on the titanic. If people can’t feel validated for their fears they will not be able to locate their purpose in your workplace. 5. Don’t bury your head in the sand about business realities or infantilize your team. This is the time to triple-down on transparency and give everyone the context they need to make grown up decisions. The only way out is through, together. #Leadership #WorkplaceCulture #InclusiveWorkplace #CorporateResponsibility

In times of political turmoil, high performance teams face unprecedented challenges that can derail focus and productivity. It’s a sensitive period where the fear of saying the wrong thing can be paralyzing. You aren’t alone. Here is how we can meet the challenge! 1. Boost Morale and Focus: Be transparent and address the situation directly. Provide regular updates about the company's stance and how the political climate might impact key business objectives. Honest conversations help everyone feel more secure. 2. Reinvigorate Commitment: Remind the team of your core values and mission. Understanding why their work matters can be a powerful anchor during chaotic times. Bringing the team back to core values reinvigorates their commitment. 3. Empowerment Through Empathy: Offer flexibility in how and when work gets done. Whether it's adjusting work hours, allowing remote work, or creating spaces for open dialogue, showing empathy goes a long way. 4. Control the Controllable: Guide the team to concentrate on what they can control – their work, interactions with clients, and productivity. This focus fosters empowerment and stability. 5. Support Mental Health: Provide resources for mental health and well-being. Access to counseling services, stress management workshops, or encouraging breaks shows that we care about our team's well-being. Bringing in a wellness coach during a stressful period can have a positive impact on your team's mental health. 6. Celebrate Small Wins: Big victories might be scarce during turmoil. Celebrating small wins can keep morale high. A small project success celebrated with a team lunch made a big difference in our collective spirit. 7. Be A Visible Leader: Be visible and approachable as leaders. Regular check-ins, open-door policies, and being present provide reassurance and stability. Informal coffee chats often reveal concerns that wouldn’t surface in formal meetings, allowing us to address issues promptly. 8. Plan to Adapt: Prepare for various scenarios the political situation might create. Having contingency plans reduces the anxiety of the unknown and ensures readiness. During significant regulatory changes, having a clear action plan allows teams to focus and adapt quickly. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to help our teams to remain focused and effective, especially in the face of political uncertainty. Creating a stable environment where employees feel supported, informed, and empowered is key to business continuity and performance. #Leadership #HighPerformanceTeams

Navigating a contentious election cycle at work can be tricky, but it’s also an opportunity to strengthen empathy, respect and trust within your team. Here are a few ways to help your team feel supported during this election cycle, while keeping in mind our shared responsibility in a democracy: ✅️Check In and Truly Listen: Ask how they’re feeling, not just about the election, but in general. Let them know it’s okay to share what’s on their minds, as long as they’re considerate of different perspectives. Sometimes, knowing someone is genuinely listening makes all the difference and reinforces our democratic commitment to respect for diverse perspectives. 💯Reinforce Organizational Values: Values like trust, care, team, respect and integrity aren’t just guidelines...they’re tools for navigating tough conversations. When leaders model these values, we make space for open, respectful dialogue and everyone feels seen and heard. This also echoes the ideals of democracy, where respectful conversation and understanding contribute to a more united “we.” 🌤Encourage Mindfulness: Emotions may run high during tense times. Instead of focusing on productivity alone, encourage your team to use mindfulness practices like taking a quick walk, pausing to reflect or intentional breathing. Simple acts like these help people feel centered, allowing them to stay engaged without feeling pressured to ignore their emotions. 🗽Embrace Different Responses: It’s okay if people react differently during stressful times. Some may be quieter, others may want to talk things out. Let your team know it’s okay to express what they need and encourage everyone to show a little extra patience and understanding. Flexibility goes a long way toward making people feel valued. 🎯Leaders Need Support Too: Remember to take care of yourself. Find time to connect with trusted friends or mentors, take breaks when you need them and be kind to yourself. Leaders who recharge lead with empathy and resilience, setting a positive example for everyone else. 🇺🇸Above all, remember that, as U.S. Supreme Court Justice Louis D. Brandeis said: "The most important political office is that of the private citizen.” In a democracy, each of us holds the power and the responsibility to help build “a more perfect union.” By fostering an environment of respect, compassion and integrity, we reinforce the foundations of democratic values and help our teammates feel seen and supported. Together, with trust, empathy, civil discourse and understanding, we can use this time to make our workplace a small reflection of democracy at its best. 👇🏽Check out the comments for more resources. #bettertogether #civildiscourse #vote

As Election Day approaches, many are filled with uncertainty, fear, and overwhelming anxiety. Employees (& maybe you, too) are carrying personal concerns alongside professional responsibilities — from economic stability to broader social issues, and the future of work itself. Whether it’s a crisis or uncertainty and unrest - it’s an opportunity for #managers to connect with their teams and individual employees, demonstrating compassion, empathy, and appreciation — humanizing the workplace — which is often desired by IC’s but glazed over by management. Here are a few ways to lead your team and create a work environment where employees feel heard, respected, and supported during seasons of chaos and crisis: 🔹Acknowledge Real Feelings — Don’t ignore or avoid. Anxiety around elections and the economy is real and widespread. Create a psychologically safe space for respectful, open conversations without letting politics seep into the professional environment. 🔹Offer Flexibility and Boundaries — Be mindful of energy levels and mental strain on Election Day. 🔹 Focus on Connection, Purpose & Appreciation — Reinforce your team’s value within the company and the impact of their work. Help them stay connected to the larger mission, giving them a sense of stability and purpose. 💡 Cultivating a workplace culture that fosters and supporrts resilience, adaptability, and human connection IS the future of the workplace - which is NOW. ❤️🤍💙 By stepping up as transformational, empathetic leaders, we strengthen our teams and build workplaces where people can thrive, no matter what’s happening in the world around us. #Leadership #ElectionDay #FutureofWork #FutureReadyWorkforce #2025WorkforceTrends #BoltResources