I’m often asked how I handle the stress of leading a high-growth company. With market pressure, customer pressure, and the pressure of having the livelihoods of so many team members resting on my shoulders, it can be a lot to handle.
My answer? I focus on my mental health. I do so through meditation and frequent exercise. I also keep a gratitude journal, where I reflect on the good things in my life, from business to family, and record the top three things I’m grateful for every morning. I focus on why I’m here, why I’m doing what I do, and give myself space to breathe.
The stigma around mental health has been well-documented for decades. There hasn’t been space for people to speak openly about their struggles because of stereotypes and fear of judgement—until now. More and more people are bravely discussing their struggles with mental health in very public settings.
This summer felt like an inflection point. U.S. gymnastics superstar Simon Biles withdrew from Olympic competition in Tokyo to focus on her mental health. Japanese tennis prodigy Naomi Osaka withdrew from the French Open due to anxiety and depression. They were honest and open, facilitating public conversations that inspired other high-profile individuals to step forward and discuss their own struggles.
I have lost loved ones due to mental health struggles. These conversations are personal for me, which is why as a leader, I am so invested in not only being aware of, but sensitive to, people’s mental health.
We’ve been living in unexpectedly difficult times these last 18 months due to COVID and the tragic events that have unfolded before our eyes. It’s never been more important for leaders to help their teams manage stress and cope with mental health issues—to make space.
In that spirit, and to show how grateful and thankful we are for our team members, we are asking every Clarian to take Thanksgiving week off (November 22-26). Importantly, this break comes in addition to all of the other ways we invest in the mental health of our team members. From providing at least one holiday a month, to flexible vacation time to balance work and personal lives, to comprehensive mental health services as part of our benefits package, we strive to do all we can to support the mental health of Clarians so they can bring their best selves to their jobs.
We are a global team and recognize that not everyone celebrates Thanksgiving, but we hope that in the Thanksgiving tradition of counting blessings, everyone, from Sunnyvale to London to Bengaluru, can take this time to focus on what matters most.
Our team needs this time to recharge. It’s been a dizzying period of remarkable growth for Clari. And while that’s exciting for all of us, burnout can be a real challenge, and Clari’s executive team wants to support our employees, just as they’ve supported the company.
I’m so grateful to everyone involved with Clari’s success. I’m grateful we hit and exceeded our quarterly goals. Grateful for the increased performance we are able to unlock for our customers. Grateful to observe the growth of our team members in their careers. Grateful to work with such an incredible team that is multiplying by the day.
Thanksgiving is a moment to count our blessings, spend time with family and friends, and express our gratitude for what the year has brought us. I hope my fellow Clarians can do just that while also taking a little time to invest in their own mental health—and if they feel comfortable, maybe talking about their challenges with others so we can continue to break down the stigma surrounding mental health.
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