From the Inside Out: The Path to Healing Organizations in Crisis
In boardrooms and break rooms across the country, we’re seeing a rise in tension, frustration, and unchecked anger. Companies, at their core, are human systems, and right now, those systems are under immense strain. Leaders rush to put out fires. Teams scramble to meet metrics that no longer reflect reality. And amid the chaos, the fixes don’t stick. More fires ignite. The culture turns toxic. People quit, or worse, they disengage while staying.
A VP of HR recently confided in me: "People are so angry they’re filing legal complaints over having a work schedule." Managers are afraid to manage. Employees brace for conflict instead of collaboration. Lawyers are now on speed dial, but this doesn’t bring me joy, even as one. Legal work is everywhere, yes, but the real issue runs deeper.
This isn’t about power. It’s about pain.
The truth is simple but difficult. Many companies are suffering from profound dysfunction. Misunderstandings become policy. Fear replaces trust. And in this culture of avoidance, no one feels safe enough to speak the truth, let alone hear it. Yet, the answers are often right there, inside your own organization with supporting your people first. Corporations have great people, great systems, and great ideas-so why all the drama?
What’s missing? The courage to stop, reflect, and lead from the inside out.
"Inside out" isn’t just a catchphrase. It’s a call to leadership, a model that asks leaders and teams to first look inward. Take accountability. Understand how their own behavior contributes to the current climate. It doesn’t mean ignoring systems and tools. It means recognizing that even the best systems fail if the human foundation is fractured.
So ask yourself:
· Do I enjoy what I do?
· Are my people thriving, or just surviving?
· Do they trust me? Do I trust them?
· What happens when the next crisis hits—who’s really there?
Anger is not a strategy. Burnout is not a badge of honor. And resignation, whether silent or formal, is not the solution.
If you're ready to change the trajectory of your team, your company, and perhaps even your own leadership story, start from the inside out. We can help.
The world has changed. The question is, how do you want to show up in this world for yourself, your work, and those that are close to you? Call us today and let’s talk.