“Unlike human beings, cats are emotionally honest, they never hide their feelings.”
~Paul Corey, Author
VIM Executive Coaching refuses to take sides; in fact, we could have as easily led this post with a quote about dogs.
The point here, is one about mindfulness. Dogs, cats, indeed most all creatures (those we love and those we don’t), mostly live their lives in the moment. They respond to what their senses tell them. To a cat or dog, pretty much everything turns out to be exactly the way it appears. If we are looking for examples of mindfulness, we need not look much further than or pets.
Yes, but –
Of course, we can come up with key differences and similarities between people and animals. As with our pets, we respond and react; we remember past traumas; we usually know what we like and dislike.
Humans are supposedly more evolved, more awake to societal problems, more sensitive to a whole range of human emotions and conditions than our four-legged friends. We would need to get back to you on that point, and it is why we put the word “supposedly” in italics.
Far too many organizations, with far too many well-meaning, but unmindful management, still suffer from unacceptable turnover. Approximately a 3% annual turnover rate is deemed “acceptable.” According to 2024 U.S. Government statistics, the following industries (led by healthcare and technology in the double-digits) are well over that mark: Healthcare, technology, education, aerospace, “arts,” hospitality, professional ranks, retail, mining and logging, construction, utilities and many others. Not surprising, “government jobs,” occupy the lowest turnover rate at around 1.4%
Our general observation is if mindfulness were so widespread, why is virtually every industry so riddled with rampant turnover? Even our cat, might have an answer. For employee feedback virtually across the board does not list “salary” as the number one reason for exits.
Whatever happened to respect?
Why do employees walk out of the door? The latest exit surveys point to (perhaps) unexpected reasons including, but not limited to: a lack of respect, feelings of isolation, poor communication, not being involved in decision making, unfair decisions including favoritism and nepotism, a lack of awareness of “employees as people,” feeling minimized and marginalized.
When did many employees begin to “feel invisible?” Some might blame a pandemic or virtual offices, however we would contend the problems started much earlier than a few years ago. Indeed, many companies thrived years ago with far-flung offices, remote management and even contract labor. Our contention echoes all of the reasons high turnover remains unabated: a lack of mindful leadership.
Who trains their leaders to be mindful? Unfortunately, nearly no organizations. Oh yes, there are thousands of corporate trainers spouting information from thousands of books, podcasts, websites and such, but nearly none urging executive leaders to “unplug,” listen and respond. The result, for example, in an industry such as healthcare is a remarkable turnover of more than 20% on an annualized basis.
To not show respect, to be complicit in isolating employees, to not communicate, to show bias or favoritism is a set of unacceptable behaviors not even our dogs and cats would like. No, we’re not being flippant. Business is becoming so unmindful, it is a wonder there is any loyalty whatsoever.
When respect is for employees is diminished, when loyalty is discarded, everyone in the organization becomes lost, including the executive leaders themselves. Our mission is to help leaders reconnect with their mindfulness and not to allow distraction to chase it away. Mindfulness training, the most ancient of teachings, is as relevant today as when the first cats were nurtured by kings, queens and commoners alike.