Omega 2022 – chaos and uncertainty. Well, 2022 began perhaps with hopes leading to a new normality that we could all enjoy and get used to. The United Nations declared 2022 as The International Year of Sustainable Mountain Development, International Year of Basic Sciences for Sustainable Development, International Year of Glass, International Year of Artisanal Fisheries and Aquaculture.
This year seemed to bring chaos and uncertainty – all across the globe. Whilst organisations haven’t been going through chaos there has been a huge degree of uncertainty. Workers began refusing to return back to the office full time, and managers struggled to manage hybrid workers. Workplace inclusion efforts began in 2020 are still failing to make sufficient inroads for a number of employees, although perhaps too many inroads for some consumers. This is causing immense tension for some organisations wondering how to ensure that their Employer and Consumer Brands can unite rather than pull into opposite directions.
All the time, everyone is watching.
Interest in sustainability is driving organisations to consider their next moves at a time when they can ill afford the additional costs that they can bring. Worries of a recession whilst the cost of living is rising, is tempting organisations to cease recruiting and consider restructuring. Workers are disengaging and looking for new roles and quiet quitting. Whilst there was an uptake in optimism in the beginning of the year, it has seemed to dissipate.
There are a lot of unhappy, scared people, settling in for the long run whilst disengaging from the work to protect their mental health.
I saw amongst my clients a continued desire to become more inclusive, I delivered a number of talks and training on this subject. This year also saw the increase in mentoring senior leaders on how to amplify their influence. Recognising that the ability to be an influential manager is all important to thrive in these complex, uncertain times.
Omega 2022 – chaos and uncertainty
Other things also happened in 2022 …
- On 1st January was the State Funeral in Cape Town, South Africa, for anti-apartheid leader Archbishop Desmond Tutu
- Jan 2 Israel becomes one of the first countries to offer a fourth vaccine dose against COVID-19 amid an Omicron surge
- On 3rd January Apple becomes the first US company to be worth $3 trillion in value, after tripling its price in under four years [1]
- On 4th January Canadian government announces US$31.5 billion settlement to fix and compensate for Indigenous child welfare system, largest in its history [1]
- On 7th January Three men convicted of murdering black jogger Ahmaud Arbery in Feb 2020, sentenced to life in prison in a Georgia court
- On 10th January the US Mint issues quarter coins commemorating poet Maya Angelou, first black woman to be depicted [1]
- On 12 January UK PM Boris Johnson admits he attended a “bring your own booze” staff party in May 2020 during the country’s first lockdown [1]
- 13 January Britain’s Prince Andrew stripped of his military titles and royal patronages by Buckingham Palace, amid continuing sexual assault allegations
- 3rd February Austria brings into force its vaccine mandate for all, first country in Europe to do so
- 6th February Queen Elizabeth II becomes the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking seventy years on the throne [1]
- 27 February EU warns Russian invasion of Ukraine means Europe facing major humanitarian crisis, 18 million Ukrainians displaced with four million refugees fleeing the country
- 28th February UN Landmark climate change report warns climate change outpacing human efforts to adapt, with best-case scenario rise of 1.5C, 14% of species face “very high risk of extinction” [1]
- 7 March Global death toll from Covid-19 passes 6 million according to Johns Hopkins figures, with 57% of the world’s population fully vaccinated [1]
- 22 March Microplastics found in human blood for first time through new research conducted at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam in the Netherlands [1]
- 29 March US President Joe Biden signs the Emmett Till Anti-Lynching Act into law, making lynching a federal hate crime after over 200 attempts to pass similar legislation since 1900 [1]
- 4 April Elon Musk buys 9.2% of Twitter stock, making him the company’s largest shareholder [1]
- 19 May Oklahoma passes a bill banning nearly all abortions, the most restrictive in the country [1]
- 1 June Turkey officially changes its name to Türkiye at the United Nations and internationally [1]
- 6 July Dramatic day in British politics as more than 40 government ministers and aides withdraw their support from PM Boris Johnson and resign, a 24 hour record [1]
- 8 September Queen Elizabeth II dies at Balmoral Castle after ruling for 70 years, as the UK’s longest-serving monarch. Her eldest son inherits the throne as King Charles III. [1]
- A lot more happened in 2022 in hindsight, and to be honest, reviewing the year from a global perspective was a lot more depressing than I remembered. It became extremely difficult choosing what to highlight. What with wars, political unrest, natural disasters, the death of the Queen and nurses feeling that they had to go on strike in the UK, it has been depressing indeed. There was good news however, like new discoveries such as the first truly complete sequence of a human genome [1] and Conjoined twins with a fused brain successfully separated with help of virtual reality in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil [1]
What about you Judith?
This is what I wrote on New Years Day in 2022:
- This year sees me taking more time out for personal reflection and growth. The importance of taking time out for yourself was well proven last year. I saw too many people burnt out and feeling overwhelmed. I will guard against that for myself, by ensuring that I stay within my passions and not taking on things that don’t bring me joy.
- I will continue to develop my LinkedIn Newsletter – Leadership is personal, where I share Maverick Insights on thriving in a complex, constantly changing world. Do check it out.
- I will also continue hosting and developing: The Maverick Paradox Podcast and The Maverick Paradox @ KLDR Online Leadership Development Radio.
- This year also sees me continuing as HRZone’s Leadership Columnist and Brainz Magazine’s Executive Contributor.
- I am aiming to overhaul my YouTube Channel some time this year too.
- Perhaps this year I will manage to write book 2!
- A launch of at least one group programme will take place this year.
- Increased C-Suite mentoring and Maverick Leadership is also on the cards for this year.
How’d you do?
Well, in 2022 I have been reflecting and growing! My LinkedIn newsletter grew steadily, although I had to cease writing it for awhile as I concentrated on other things. Next year, I will be picking up the reigns again.
The Maverick Paradox Podcast was 5 years old this month and is now ranked in the global top 2% most popular podcast. Unfortunately the owner of KLDR Online Leadership Development Radio Station decided to close the station, so I no longer host the popular Maverick Paradox @ KLDR show. It was a great year and I really enjoyed the varied guests I spoke to on the show. All those shows are on podcast, see here.
I continue to be HRZone’s Leadership Columnist and chose to stop writing for Brainz Magazine. I didn’t get to update my YouTube Channel after all, neither did I write book 2! Increased C-Suite mentoring and Maverick Leadership did happily take place and I will continue to focus in this area.
2022 has been a busy year for me, here are a few highlights:
- The Maverick Paradox Podcast moved its ranking from the top 5% to top 2% global most popular podcasts.
- The Maverick Paradox Podcast moved its ranking from number 12 to number 10 Best Leadership Podcast in the UK to follow in 2022.
- The Maverick Paradox Magazine moved its ranking from 171 to 59 Best Leadership Blog out of thousands of blogs on the web!
- I delivered a masterclass for HDR UK Black Internship Programme
- The Maverick Paradox @ KLDR was the most popular radio show on the KLDR Online Leadership Development Radio station
- I judged the Brand Category of the Culture Pioneers Awards 2022. This was a lot of fun.
- I appeared on BBC Radio again!
- The Leadership Council (for the people who run the country and the people who keep it running) interviewed me on leadership. You can listen here.
- An increase in 121 Mentoring Programmes took place this year
- I was nominated for a Positive Leadership Award (I don’t know the results yet! Thank you for whoever nominated me)
- I’ve been interviewed a number of times this year
- I was reaccredited as a GC Ologist for The GC Index. The Maverick Paradox is also a proud Accredited Partner. This allows us to use the GC Index profiles and tools.
- My ‘How influential are you? scorecard was completed this week. Take it for free here (only 5 minutes)
- I continue to speak and sit on panels discussing leadership, diversity and impact.
Omega 2022 – chaos and uncertainty. It has been an interesting year and I look forward to seeing what 2023 brings.
If you would prefer to listen to this post please check out episode 277 on The Maverick Paradox Podcast or listen below.