This week marks six years since the founding of Our Glass Consulting, and I find myself reflecting on the journey with immense gratitude. When I started this practice, my vision was to help leaders at all levels transform workplace culture. I didn’t anticipate how profoundly those leaders—and their wisdom—would shape my experience.
What Am I Grateful For?
2024 was a year of growth and deep learning for Our Glass Consulting. We had the honor of working alongside our consulting partner and trusted advisor, Gwen Webber-McLeod throughout the year. Together Our Glass and Gwen, Inc. worked with leaders across the Health, Healthcare, and Human Services sectors. These professionals, who have endured relentless pressure from pre-pandemic times through today’s recovery, are remarkable. They remind me of the resilience and commitment required to lead in the face of adversity. I’m profoundly thankful for the opportunity to learn from their experiences and for the trust they placed in us to help navigate their organizational challenges.
What Did We Learn From These Experiences?
Working with healthcare and human services leaders last year highlighted the emotional and operational toll of leading in a post-pandemic world. These professionals showed us how vital it is to acknowledge and address the human element in leadership. While groups can often critique systemic flaws in healthcare, and for good reason, last year reaffirmed that the workers within these systems are the greatest asset. Yet, they’re also the most vulnerable to burnout and disconnection if left unsupported.
What Did Leaders Share About Their Challenges?
In our engagements, three significant themes emerged as driving dissatisfaction among leaders:
Struggling Organizational Cultures: Many leaders reported difficulty regaining equilibrium in workplace culture after the pandemic.
Underperformance and New Staff Integration: A lack of effective onboarding and support for new staff exacerbated frustrations.
Capacity Shortages and Compassion Fatigue: Leaders and teams alike faced burnout, compounded by a lack of camaraderie and mutual support.
Our Glass and Gwen, Inc.’s Proposed Solutions to the Leadership Challenges
While these challenges are complex, our work last year allowed us to explore meaningful strategies to address them:
Rebuilding Organizational Culture: Facilitating open, department-level meetings to identify internal communication barriers and rebuild a sense of community. These discussions, followed by actionable plans, create pathways for restoring trust and alignment.
Enhancing Staff Support: Implementing structured onboarding programs and mentoring initiatives to help new staff acclimate and thrive. Ensuring all team members feel valued fosters accountability and engagement.
Prioritizing Well-being: Introducing policies and programs that acknowledge and mitigate compassion fatigue, such as mental health resources, team-building activities, and flexible work arrangements.
Looking Ahead
As we closed the 2024 year, we were reminded that leadership isn’t about having all the answers but about being open to continuous learning. The leaders we worked with in 2024 taught us the power of vulnerability, the necessity of compassion, and the importance of staying grounded in purpose.
To the incredible leaders and organizations we served, thank you for your partnership. Your resilience inspires us to keep innovating and supporting your vital work. As we step into 2025, Our Glass is excited to continue this growth, learning, and collaboration journey. Here’s to Leading Boldly, Thriving Fully, Together!
With love and gratitude,
Demitrius McNeil
Managing Partner
Our Glass Consulting, LLC
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