Structural doesn't mean it doesn't hurt

Big welcome to new subscribers! If you're new here, do have a look around at past posts and other resources on the site. Plenty to dig into 😀

Systems fail people, and not the other way around. I wrote about it last week in my piece about the research I've just published, Fixing The System, Not The Leader.

But the effects of burnout are deeply personal. People tell me every day in the comments to my videos, and in one-to-one coaching calls. People share their experiences and the feelings of sorrow, guilt, and even shame. They tell me about the fear that accompanies them into work every day and pursues them throughout their weekends. Knowing something is systemic or structural or organisational doesn't make it feel any less personal.

The aim of my work is partly to speak out about the systemic issues in the hope that people with power will listen and make changes, and at the same time provide ideas and tools for people who are struggling to protect themselves and help them to plan ways to move forward. For example, I created a reality check for people asking themselves whether they should stay in a difficult job or make plans to leave. You can download it here. It's free.

If you want to go further, I'm opening up a new programme. Three one-hour coaching calls, spaced out between now and the end of December, for anyone who's had a genuinely difficult year at work and wants to walk into 2027 with clarity and a concrete plan. I'm your sounding board and your accountability partner, someone who'll help you work through what this year has left on you and hold you to the steps you say you want to take. Three sessions is enough time to get real clarity, not just a nice chat. It's £675 for all three, paid upfront, against my usual £250 for a single hour, so there's a proper discount built in for anyone ready to commit to the whole thing. If that's what you need before January comes round, get in touch and we'll find the time.

I'm back from my holidays now and getting ready to launch the private online community. I'm calling it the In The Room community for now. I'm hoping it'll be a place where people can discuss issues and gain peer support, plus fortnightly Zoom Q&A calls with me. Do let me know (if you haven't already) if you’d like me to email you as soon as it launches. It’ll be free for the first three months for the first 50 members then £25 a month and you'll be able to cancel any time.

What am I reading? 📚

I enjoyed reading The Finest Hotel in Kabul by the BBC's Chief International Correspondent, Lyse Doucet, a country's history viewed through the eyes of a hotel's employees.

What am I watching? 👀

One of the countries we visited on our travels for the first time was Albania. We were in the capital, Tirana, for 2 days, and it was a really interesting visit. Definitely a country to visit again.

Our hotel was very close to the site of the daily Flamingo Revolution protests, and it was fascinating to try to understand what was going on from local people there.

Flamingo Revolution: The Albanians protesting to bring down the elites – video

Thousands of protesters are flooding Tirana in Albania’s biggest unrest since the collapse of communism. Matthew Cassel travelled to Albania to see how this environmental fight has escalated in a political battle for the nation’s future.

The GuardianKatie Arnold and Temujin Doran and Kyri Evangelou and Matthew Cassel

What am I listening to?👂

While we were away, we also stayed in the beautiful lake-side town of Ohrid in North Macedonia. We were having some drinks on the waterfront when a speedboat pulled up to the jetty. An elegant, older woman stepped up and out of the boat right in front of us. I couldn't help saying to her, "Welcome! What an entrance!"

It turned out she was Martha High, the Goddess of Soul, one of James Brown's backing singers. She's still got it!

Joy-giving things 😍

Lake Ohrid is stunning, by the way

Have a great weekend

Lucy

I've been writing regular blogs since 2020. If you want to have a look at my back catalogue, they are all here.

If you're wondering whether coaching might help you think through where you are and where you're going next, I'd love to hear from you.

You can also find me on Instagram, Threads, and LinkedIn.

🎬🎬🎬 YouTube 🎬🎬🎬

If you like what you read and you'd like to show your appreciation in cash, you can do that here. I'd be very grateful!