First came the global pandemic, then lockdown, then vaccines, a slow reopening, Delta, more reopenings, and the idea of living forever with COVID-19. It’s been quite the last couple of years. 

But in the midst of all of the shifting sands below our feet, an amazing thing started to take hold – a re-evaluation of what matters to all of us, in our work, our lives, with our families and how we spend our time. Some call this ‘The Great Resignation’, while others say that the record 4 million Americans that left their jobs have had more to do with a radical realignment of our values that is fueling us to take stock – real stock – of the work we do, how we do it, from where, and with whom. 

This realignment and search for more meaning is a path that I have been following since my early 20s when I felt passionately about working on the issues I cared most about like conservation, food security, organics, education reform, human trafficking and climate change. I consider myself incredibly fortunate to have worked with some of the country’s leading pioneers when it comes to progressive businesses, social entrepreneurship and social impact. 

Back then, I considered myself an idealist, looking to spread the gospel of Ben and Jerry’s, organic foods, ‘doing well by doing good’ or ‘giving back’ through clever cause marketing partnerships and philanthropic initiatives. Luckily, the sector matured, as did we, and we started to separate real change from schemes to sell more stuff or to allow bad acting companies to use their philanthropic halos to define their brands. 

Now, with workers leaving en masse to redefine their own relationship to work, companies are having to face the ‘cracks in the dams’ of their   otherwise hugely profitable and positively performing enterprises. How long did American companies believe that they could keep driving profitability with on-going low wages, a lack of employee benefits, flex time, child care –  or worse, being called out for harassment, discrimination, or any host of social or environmental abuses. 

The great resignation we are currently experiencing, I believe, has more to do with the values-reckoning of individuals, of communities and of a  collective vision we can imagine for something better. Just as we tune out from news that is only negative, from COVID to climate, so too, do we tune out to jobs, gigs, and bosses who add to our stress, suffer a lack of imagination, and leave us less fulfilled than when we started. 

As we seek work that fulfills, informs and enlightens us, we are willing to shift priorities, find creative alliances, and make do with less, in order to have more emotional, creative and connective satisfaction. I, for one, applaud this move and encourage more organizations, for-profits, non-profits and government agencies to think creatively about ways to build cohorts, coalitions and connective professional groups that  can  contribute and lead in a new way.  My own consultancy has been hired for me to create, mentor, manage, guide and direct, working through all kinds of projects and configurations. I hope this only continues. After all, we get what we deserve, and most of us know we deserve good work.