Leading Through Heavy Times: A Guide to Sustainable Advocacy

The world feels heavy right now. As HR leaders, we're caught between overwhelming helplessness and the conviction that we must do something. The challenge isn't just finding our voice—it's using it sustainably while still showing up for our teams, our families and ourselves.

The Reality of Leadership in Crisis

As HR professionals, we have unique influence over workplace culture and people's lives. This comes with both privilege and responsibility—and the opportunity to create ripple effects far beyond what we might initially imagine.

Three Ways to Create Meaningful Impact

1. Use Your Existing Platform

• Create psychological safety for difficult conversations with your team
• Advocate for company policies that reflect your values (charitable giving, volunteer time, vendor partnerships)
• Intentionally diversify your hiring and mentoring practices

2. Leverage Your Network

• Amplify voices that need to be heard
• Connect people who can help each other
• Share your HR expertise with nonprofits and small businesses that need it

3. Choose Your Focus

Pick 1-2 causes that resonate most deeply with you rather than trying to address every injustice. Deep, consistent engagement creates more change than scattered efforts.

The Self-Care Imperative

Burnout doesn't just hurt you—it robs the world of your continued contribution. Sustainable advocacy requires:

Information Boundaries: Set specific times for news consumption instead of constant scrolling. Choose 1-2 trusted sources and consider using app timers to limit your consumption.

Emotional Boundaries: You don't have to respond to every request for your opinion. It's okay to say "I can't engage with this right now."

Joy as Fuel: Schedule activities that genuinely restore you. Finding moments of happiness isn't frivolous—it's necessary fuel for the long haul.

Community Care: Build relationships with other advocates who understand the weight you're carrying. Share the emotional labor.

Your Next Step

Choose one meaningful action you can take this week and one practice that will restore your energy. Start there.

The world doesn't need you to save everyone. It needs you to show up as your full, healthy, committed self for the long haul.

Because the world doesn't need perfect leaders. It needs present, healthy ones who will advocate for what's right.