Soul Searching with Katy Flaherty: Loss, Grief, and Helping Others During the Pandemic

Our guest this week takes us on a heartbreaking and heartwarming journey. She opens up about the pain of her sister’s death. “Losing someone during the pandemic, grieving while social distancing, it is so hard. Hugging is part of the healing process.” She shares what she learned at the beginning of the pandemic, from just having started a new role, to taking on the daunting task of acquiring PPE for Microsoft employees and donating supplies to first responders, to supporting her employees. “All of us have had to adapt, our motto was: stay agile.” She also found strength in aligning her work and personal life: “Everything we had to do to stay connected in our day job also came over to family. Upleveling communication and organizational skills, showing respect, staying connected.” These strengths developed on the job helped her and her family get through the loss of her sister as well as support her elementary school teacher husband and kids with the transition to remote learning. She said she cured mommy guilt by sharing with her kids the greater purpose of helping others and the joy she finds at work. Her practical wisdom: “Find joy in encouraging the team.” Follow me for uplifting content https://linktr.ee/nikkikloeppel and download my free guide to work life satisfaction.