Year-end is such a rich time:

We look backward to see the larger arch of our lives; we look forward to choosing where we will make a difference; and we (hopefully) have the opportunity to draw closer to that and those that bring meaning to our days. 

At the end of 2022, one word summarized that backward glance for the Kavi team: resilience (we wrote about that here). 

That trend continued, as it did for many, in 2023.  

Over the year, we joined the growing number of organizations, ranging from the US Military to International Buddhist groups, who are coming to understand that this VUCA world (Volatile, Uncertain, Complex, Ambiguous):

1. Is here to stay

2. Will most likely intensify

3. Requires a new playbook that moves us from surviving to thriving 

There is a lot to unpack with item #3 - we will dive into that in the coming year.  

In this VUCA world, working with deep purpose is our team’s #1 tool for thriving. What helps you thrive?  

Curious about how to THRIVE?  Decades of research tell us that the difference between burnout and the level of engagement that leads to personal and organizational thriving boils down to seven factors: 

1. Span of Work: the amount of work and resources available to succeed (resources include training, information, time, and systems that evolve to support employees in succeeding in the current circumstances.) 

2. Control: The degree of input, decision-making power, and autonomy an individual has. Ironically, in turbulent times, people and organizations often gain a sense of control or stability when they shift from trying to control the external to evolving in a way that leverages their strengths and stays true to their purpose and values. 

3. Reward: The rewards received as a result of effort, including compensation, recognition, being trusted, having growth opportunities, or praise, to name a few. 

4. Community: Having a sense of inclusion and belonging with a group or community that cares about your well-being. 

5. Fairness, Values: Roles, guidelines, and decisions that are fair take into account the impact on others and are driven by clear values.  

6. Meaningful & Valued Work: Knowing your efforts make a meaningful contribution to the world.  

7. Balancing Agility and Resilience: As the demand for agility increases, so does the need to invest in resilience-building. This can be on the personal or organizational level. (See our previous blog series for more info: Reset & Rebalance, 90-Second Tools To Manage Transition, 90-Second Tools To Manage Transition: The Keys To Success, 90-Second Tools To Manage Transition: Tips To Complete The Process)

When people know how to leverage these seven factors, their lives and the lives of those they touch can blossom, even under the most difficult circumstances. 

This past year reinforced that for us. Despite a year filled with toils and losses, when the members of the Kavi team partnered with our clients - many of whom had their own significant challenges - to leverage these seven factors, our clients said:

“The process brought out the best in our agency.”

The work with Kavi was “rejuvenating -- helping us to create fresh ideas that jive with the organization's mission.”

“We were engaged. We have a usable road map for our future. We were able to expand our vision.”

Thank you, 2023 for helping us to evolve. 

Wishing you a year filled with thriving.

Chantalle, Susanne, Lisa

Curious about our ups and downs? If so, feel free to read on: 

Accumulatively we: 

• Wove climate and equity into all of our engagements (woot!)

• Invested in team trust and resilience-building (we practice this stuff right along with you!)

• Attempted a Mont Blanc summit

• Vacationed in Scotland 

• Got engaged (in the we-are-getting-married sense, not the engaged in the work sense)

• Brought on a new team member

• Lost family members 

• Placed family in long-term care 

• Moved across the country to care for sick family 

• Discovered parasites living in our blood (yuck!)

Specific highlights:

• Chantalle led their first client engagement (yay!)

• Brandon transitioned out of Kavi for a new opportunity and also got engaged! (We are excited for him about both!)

• The amazing Susanne O'Mealey joined our tiny team to provide administrative support.