Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Katie Huey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Katie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Despite our best-laid plans, life has a way of throwing things off kilter. Baz Luhrman once said, “The real troubles in your life are apt to be things that never crossed your worried mind. The kind that blindside you at 4 p.m. on some idle Tuesday.”

For me, the thing that never crossed my mind hit at 3 p.m. on Friday, March 18, 2016. I was finishing up a project proposal when my phone buzzed in its case on my desk. It was my mom. I answered, and she asked if I was sitting down. My dad had passed away unexpectedly at the age of 58. After I hung up with my mom and talked to my husband, the first person I called was my boss.

She was not prepared for my call. Not many people are.

But the longer you work with humans who experience joy and suffering, the more likely you will work with an employee or teammate living with grief.

In my experience working in organizational development, and helping individuals with integration of their grief experiences, I’ve realized there is a large gap in compassion for ourselves and our teams as we are healing. If your organization seeks to serve the whole person, your response to those who are hurting matters. Your words, or lack thereof, significantly impact a those who are going through disruptive life experiences.

As a facilitator, I help people find words for difficult life experiences, particuarly in the form of workshops and experiences designed to help people know what to say when there is “nothing to say.” And, as a coach, I partner with individuals in transition as they are stepping into the next form of what life is teaching them.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I specialize in exploring the intersections of lived human experiences and business needs. I believe the world needs more leaders who embrace the complexities of being human while also striving to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Work need not cause more suffering.

My business, Messy Work, was formed with the truth that being human is messy. And, as we strive to make the world a better place we need to hold change, transformation, and potential with grace. I thrive in both-and spaces, and desire to help equip the next generation of emerging leaders with new ways of being that will in turn shape how organizations operate in the years to come.

My personal grief story informs both my coaching practice and passion for increased empathy and compassion in the workplace. I hold gentle space for individuals and organizations to come to creative and compassionate solutions in a chaotic world. I also lead workshops and facilitates conversations designed to help people find words in situations where we often come up short.

I am a graduate of Stanford’s Applied Compassion Training, a certified Grief Educator, and recently completed Blue Mesa’s Transformational Coaching program and am working towards ICF certification. I have worked with leaders and their teams since 2011.

Any advice for managing a team?

Teams are made up of individuals who deserve individual care and support. This work requires time, customization, and attention. I encourage leaders and managers to ask “Support to you is like what?”

Don’t assume everyone can be led the same way or has the same needs to succeed. Asking what is going well and what could be better are two places to start. This isn’t work you can check off a list. Instead, ask yourself how am I nurturing the people on my team? What might they need to fully commit to where we want to go next?

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Awakening Compassion at Work: The Quiet Power that Elevates People and Organizations by Monica C. Worline and Jane E. Dutton

The Song of Significance: A New Work Manifesto by Seth Godin

The work of Liesel Mertes and her Handle with Care Podcast

The Invisible Leader by Zach Mercurio

Contact Info:

• Website: www.katiehuey.com
• Instagram: @52beautifulthings
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-huey-b10969aa/
• Other: Blog – 52beautifulthings.com

Image Credits
Jenny Stoecker for headshot Otherwise photos taken by me