Grumpiness: The New Workplace Trend
Do you sense that some managers are a little more on edge? They probably are. Experts say that stock-market swings are leading to bare nerves, as bosses and employees alike quietly fret about their 401(k)s. Korn Ferry advises managers on what to do if the team is showing signs of crankiness. Plus, ever talk to an AI agent? We did, and the results were… pretty human.
1) I’m Not Grumpy, You Are
The manager was in a quiet panic. Okay, the panic wasn’t quiet: The stock market was dropping quickly, taking his life savings with it. He spent the day snapping at employees and wondering whether to adjust his portfolio.
Call it the Grumpification Effect. Sixty-two percent of workers cite retirement plans as a top contributor to their financial security, up from 56% in 2023, according to Employee Benefit Research Institute’s 2024 Workplace Wellness Survey. And whether you’re a boomer about to retire or a younger worker building your savings, that security is going through some scary turbulence. “People are going down this rabbit hole of anxiety, depression, and worry,” says Karen Huang, director of search assessment at Korn Ferry.
2) Beware the Black Swans
Two decades ago, former Wall Street trader Nassim Nicholas Taleb wrote that investors, traders, and business leaders shouldn’t be fooled into thinking that just because they’d never experienced a seemingly impossible, massive disruptive change—a black swan event—that they never would.
However, in the 2020s, it seems that those rare, unpredictable, massively consequential black swan events are beginning to happen at least once a year. The on-again, off-again tariff policies that sent the US bond market into its most volatile period in decades—and company leaders scrambling to assess the threat to their businesses—are only the latest in a series of events, starting with the COVID-19 pandemic, that have forced leaders to steer their organizations not only through uncertainty, but also through jarring occurrences. And most are struggling. “Many are like deer staring at headlights,” says Maneesh Dube, a Korn Ferry senior client partner in the firm’s Executive Search business.
3) Briefings Podcast: Humans Need Not Apply
What is it like to talk to an AI agent? We interview one to test this new level of workplace technology that looks—and acts—human.
Other Must-Reads from Korn Ferry
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Purpose Driven CIO | Expertise across strategy, governance and stakeholder engagement locally, regionally and globally
1dInteresting article, thanks for sharing
Head and Neck Surgeon | Chair Tri Delta Foundation Board of Trustees | Women's Empowerment | Life Sciences | Committed to transforming national healthcare delivery to ensure quality, accessible, affordable care for all
1dIn times of uncertainty and during black swan events, critical leadership skills rise to the forefront. Remaining calm under pressure, staying focused amid chaos, and demonstrating integrity and resilience are essential. Leaders set the tone for others—how they show up in crisis shapes how their teams and communities respond. By modeling steadiness and strength, leaders not only guide others through the unknown but also build trust and inspire confidence when it's needed most.
Strategic Risk Management and Resilience Leader
1dRespectfully, I wish the phrase "black swan events" would go away. Investing is inherently risky, which means we can make a lot or lose a lot. These things aren't black swans, they are normal, volatile changes in the market that can and do occur from time to time. The 2008 crash, Covid, and the recent tariff kerfuffle show investors that expecting continual consistent increases in our investments isn't guaranteed. Instead, good risk management would advise risk mitigation, e.g., diversification, hedging. We take bets when buying and selling in the market, there's a 50/50 chance that we win or lose. Brokerages and public companies clearly state this fact before we buy or sell, in their prospectuses, on their websites, in their investor calls, etc.
Recruitment Consultant - Olton Recruitment Solutions | Strategic Talent Advisor | Manufacturing & Supply Chain Transformation | @corytherecruiter Follow Me
1dA timely and important reflection. Black swan events may no longer be "rare," and the ability to lead through volatility is quickly becoming a must-have leadership trait. Flexibility, resilience, and the ability to unite teams behind a clear vision are now top priorities not just for boards, but also for those of us helping organizations identify and recruit the right leaders. In today’s environment, selecting talent that thrives in uncertainty is critical to long-term success. Thanks for highlighting this important shift.