Thinking ‘Great’

At the very beginning, ‘the Great Resignation’ seemed to be unthinkable. When Anthony Klotz, professor of management at Mays Business School at Texas A&M University, predicted in 2019 that workers could quit their jobs at historic rates in the United States only a few thought it could be true. But he was right. The Society for Human Resource Management, a professional human resources membership association headquartered in Virginia, has surprising data: in 2020 around 50 million of people in the States did not like their job so they resigned.

The situation is specially worrying if majority of those that decide to resign are essential workers, that is, professionals employed in social services that work directly with the public. In the United States, hospitality and the health sector are just two examples of the environments more affected by resignation. Uncertainty becomes unavoidable when those who have to take care of us decide to quit their job.

‘The Great choice’

In Spain, the scenario is a little bit different. It is a mystery if the ‘Great Resignation’ will ever arrive, specially if we consider our classic high unemployment rate. At this stage, it would be more realistic thinking ‘Great’. Concretely, it would be more suitable reflecting on the ‘Great Choice‘. It is a fact that choosing what you are going to do the rest of your life is not a minor matter. Unfortunately, this decision is made too early, just when innocence and inexperience of youth leads to an ideal paradigm that in some cases is far from what imagination dreamed. Time passes, things get messed up and, at the end, frustration and burnout at work win the battle, while motivation runs away and resignation seems to be the best option.

At least, it is possible discerning two sources of concern. Firstly, it remains to be seen if the increasing virtual exposition that already surrounds us will lessen the acquisition of social skills. Like it or not, we are social beings and those skills are still essential. Secondly, it seems that many young people today get discouraged even before they finish their studies at university. Given this outlook, we cannot pretend they last for a lifetime in the same occupation.

An uncertain scenario

The current job picture worldwide is not living its best moment in the Western world. Demotivation increases and professionals decide it is a good time to quit. A trip to the corner for reflection is compulsory for workers and companies, but for full society as well when everyones’s future is at risk. Uncertainty and answers are on the air. Appropriate working conditions and recognition add value beyond reasonable monetary compensation for work performed. However, specific tools for stress management, self-control and working on increasing resilience are clearly recommendable. Moreover, professional training and perseverance are mandatory.

Far from magic solutions, a good point might be looking for a balance wherein work contributes to society as well as it contributes to the worker. Easy? I do not think so. Be that as it may, one thing is certain. Changing job does not go anywhere. Undoubtedly, being hardened through adversity moves the Great Resignation away. Developing resilience and suitable skills for facing difficulties is the best weapon against them. Even one of the great ones in the Ancient Rome, philosopher Seneca, was clear about it: “No man is more unhappy than he who never faces adversity. For he is not permitted to prove himself”.