I’ve mentioned Deb a couple of times on The Native Digital + Native Analog show before, but today, I was honored with her presence.

If you ran into a colleague at the grocery store whose daughter had just attempted suicide, what would you say? Would you be able to find helpful words?

Most of us would be flabbergasted. Most of us are paralyzed by a state-of-mind that Deb calls “the awkward zone” of “should I say anything?” or “would saying something hurt?”

In the Awkward Zone, we’re confronted by second-guessing and doubt which often inhibits comfort and connection. Barriers like these have always been there, but modern life has made them stronger.

Some of us might share a story of a similar experience that we’ve had or seen. And actually, we might cause worse pain than already exists.

In my conversation today, Deb Knupp, Managing Director at GrowthPlay, shares her trials through a similar circumstance within her own family, and the crucial moment when she realized, most human beings aren’t equipped to walk alongside others in suffering.

Deb works primarily with attorneys. Her consulting practice primarily helps law firms to scale, increase revenues, improve client experience, and motivate talent. But we don’t even touch on these in today’s episode.

Instead, we discuss the shadow pandemic. It is rearing its ugly head each day in the law firms Deb works within, so she has set out to help professionals understand how to be with people in suffering. Deb, as the selfless person she is, asked me to promote the work of Jen Marr. Jen’s organization, Inspiring Comfort, helps organizations create a culture of comfort, where colleagues and leaders learn how to walk with people in suffering. Check out Jen’s work at inspiringcomfort.com.

What is the Shadow Pandemic?

“In 2024, experts are saying we will ultimately lose more lives to depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidality, than actual people who died from COVID-19. And yes, when you speak to leaders in an organization, and show them the tsunami of a mental health crises with adolescents, they think they are immune. That it will just happen to other families, other firms, but ‘not to us’. This is an extremely dangerous posture.” – Deb Knupp

The shadow pandemic will impact not just families, friends, and communities – it is going to shape organizations as well. Yet most companies aren’t prepared for the onslaught.

Deb shares that proactively addressing mental health issues at work are not only important for employee happiness, but organizational stability. But what does “addressing mental health issues” look like?

It means teaching people how to be with others in suffering. Training them to say helpful rather than hurtful things. And training leaders how to approach mental health with care and intentionality.

Deb on Suffering and Leadership

“Learning to walk with people in suffering is a leadership skill. Not just a nice to have. It is a skill equally important to a leader’s ability to meet revenue goals, inspire action, and create meaningful connection.” – Deb Knupp

With the looming Shadow Pandemic, it’s up to LEADERS to build this necessary skill. Not just assume that mental health is being addressed at home or within a community.

About Deb:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/deb-knupp-2694a21/

The HX Collective: https://thehxcollective.com/

Deb Knupp is a Managing Director for GrowthPlay - a consulting firm that inspires clients to achieve their growth potential through actionable research-backed strategies accelerate revenue, improve client loyalty and motivate talent around a shared vision of success. Prior to GrowthPlay, Deb founded Akina, in 2001 that was acquired by GrowthPlay in 2014. With over 350 law firm clients and serving more than 50% of the AmLaw 200, Deb and her team at GrowthPlay have spent the last 20 years helping firms become THE place where the most profitable clients want to buy, where the most fantastic people want to work and where the most inspired leaders want to serve a bigger purpose in their communities. Before Akina, Deb was a front-line sales and HR executive working for Frito-Lay, Pearle Vision and algroup - Lawson Mardon Packaging. On a personal note, Deb graduated from The University of Texas at Austin with a B.S. in Speech/Organizational Communication. She is a passionate wife and mom to three daughters, a community cultivator and crusader for the underserved, and has a zealous commitment to help make the world better by helping others become the best version of themselves.