Tariff Tiredness: We're All in This Together (and Lunch Helps!)

I'm willing to bet there's one word echoing in the minds of every finance director, CFO, and business leader this week: tariffs!

Just looking around my own organization, I see a significant number of individuals deeply involved in the intricate work of estimating and analyzing the impact of the Trump administration's tariffs. It makes you pause and consider the sheer amount of collective time being poured into this activity across the entire country. Honestly, it's enough to make you sigh. Let's just say that every professional in finance, supply chain, product management, and sales is truly earning their keep right now.

And then my thoughts turn to the consumer. We're collectively staring down the barrel of significant cost increases, and it's a sobering prospect. While I understand and even applaud the underlying intentions to protect US businesses and foster domestic supply chains, the chosen method of implementation is undeniably creating a significant amount of stress and uncertainty throughout the economy.

So, I start this blog post with this topic to emphatically say: we are all in this together, and this too shall pass. As the wise English saying goes, Keep Calm and Carry On.

However, amidst the challenges of this week, a genuine positive has emerged, highlighting the profound importance of having a strong and supportive team around you. This isn't just about the individuals within your direct department (like my fantastic Finance team), but the crucial cross-functional collaboration needed to swiftly address and overcome any monumental task.

It's often the simplest gestures that resonate the most, especially during demanding times. This week, that simple act was a member of another department thoughtfully offering to get me lunch. They had noticed the long hours and intense focus I was dedicating to navigating month-end, quarter-end, and the new tariff requirements.

In the whirlwind of busy periods, it's easy to overlook these small acts of kindness. I want to take a moment to encourage everyone to look around your workplace. Identify that person who might be struggling, whether it's with professional pressures or personal challenges, and reach out. A small gesture of support can make a world of difference.

Let's navigate these tariff headwinds together, supporting our teams and remembering the human element amidst the economic complexities. And who knows, maybe a simple offer of lunch is just the boost someone needs to keep calm and carry on.