There are two elements in today’s organizational world that feel like they’re missing something:
- Seasoned Wisdom – Fellow employees with greater cumulative work/life experiences – navigating the good and bad, the highs and lows.
- Sacred Space – a trusted confidant who can ask great questions and afford the room to unpack what’s happening in your mind, will and emotions.
There’s a tectonic shift happening in the workplace today with Boomers and GenXers retiring while Gen-Z and Millennials are dominating the workplace. All the while there’s an increasing marketplace epidemic of presenteeism, anxiety, and burnout – all indicators that employees need a different kind of support that sustains them through work, life, and everything in between.
I’ve been looking for companies that are trying to address the two bullet points above. Two years ago, Forte launched a mental wellness platform that addresses this very issue. Forte connects employees with unlimited access to certified Guides helping them turn down the noise and distractions of life so they can focus on their inner strengths and be their best selves. This is something that seasoned wisdom really leans into.
When Forte first launched a pilot version of their service, they recruited and trained Guides who came to the platform with a rich history of past employment, and an ability to be trained in the fine art of empathetic listening and holding sacred space. Some of our MEA alums have been intrigued by Forte. As a Guide, they affirm the intrinsic value in individuals, helping them unlock their unique contribution to their work, their family, and their community.
One Guide I’ve heard about who joined the Forte team is Dan. At 64, and near retirement from his executive position, he offered designated hours on the platform simply to give back to others and invest in the next generation. Dan says, “I wanted to influence influencers. To listen and process life in real time with young people entering the workforce, I felt I could be a great sounding board, and to ask questions that helped them unpack everything in their world.”
As Dan went on to describe his Guide work he shared, “While I may be close to retirement, my investment in others is just beginning. The second half of life can be so much fuller than people think!”
This reminds me of Erik Erikson’s maxim, “I am what survives me.”
I don’t own any Forte stock and they’re not paying me anything to write this. I just wanted to surface them as a potential resource for those of you who want to leverage your seasoned knowledge to positively impact the next generation in the workplace. As I learned at Airbnb, you might learn as much from the young folks as they learn from you. For more information, visit www.getforte.com