Leaders have to be prepared for all sorts of unplanned events in the workplace. One of those events is when an employee is suffering from a loss due to the death of someone close to them. ​Being a leader involves not only managing tasks and projects but also recognizing and addressing the human aspect of the workplace. By promoting awareness of grief and providing support, leaders contribute to a healthier, more resilient, and cohesive team, ultimately enhancing the overall success of the organization.


  1. Employee Well-being: Acknowledging and addressing grief in the workplace demonstrates a leader's commitment to the overall well-being of their team. Employees who feel supported during difficult times are more likely to remain engaged and motivated in their work.​
  2. Increased Productivity: Grieving employees may experience difficulty concentrating or may be emotionally affected, impacting their productivity. A leader who understands and addresses grief can provide necessary support, potentially minimizing the impact on work performance and maintaining overall team productivity. It's often difficult to talk about productivity, if you're a caring person, when you know they are hurting about something 'bigger than all this'. At the end of the day, it comes down to respect. If you respect the person, they'll be more grateful. I believe caring should be without an agenda, so the complexity in this point is noted. 
  3. Enhanced Employee Engagement: Leaders who promote awareness of grief create a culture of empathy and understanding. Employees are more likely to feel valued and appreciated when their leaders acknowledge the emotional challenges they may be facing, leading to increased loyalty and engagement.
  4. Team Morale and Cohesion: Grief can affect an entire team, especially if colleagues are close or have worked together for an extended period. A leader who fosters awareness and support during times of grief helps maintain team morale and cohesion by acknowledging the shared human experiences within the workplace.
  5. Improved Communication: Open communication about grief allows team members to express their emotions and concerns. Leaders who encourage dialogue create an environment where employees feel comfortable discussing their feelings, fostering trust and open communication.
  6. Long-term Employee Retention: Demonstrating empathy and understanding during challenging times contributes to a positive organizational culture. Employees are more likely to stay with a company that values their well-being and supports them through personal difficulties.
  7. Leadership Credibility: Leaders who prioritize the emotional health of their team members enhance their own credibility and effectiveness. It showcases leadership qualities such as empathy, compassion, and a genuine concern for the holistic development of employees.

Grieving is important because it is a natural and essential part of the healing process after experiencing loss or significant life changes. It allows individuals to process and come to terms with their emotions, facilitating emotional and psychological adaptation to the new reality. Grieving also helps in acknowledging the significance of the loss, finding meaning in it, and ultimately moving forward with life. Suppressing or avoiding grief can lead to prolonged emotional distress and may hinder the overall well-being and resilience of an individual. Embracing the grieving process allows for personal growth, resilience, and the eventual restoration of a sense of normalcy.

Barriers and Boundaries welcomes you to explore these 15 books if you are looking for a resource to share with someone you know is grieving, or are grieving yourself. ​
​Walking Through Grief: Finding Hope and Healing in the Psalms of Lament by Mark Medley
 
"Walking Through Grief" unveils a revelation: the intertwining of broken worlds and unyielding faith. With Mark Medley's dual perspective as a pastor and a widower, this book becomes a personal pilgrimage through sorrow, showcasing the potency of biblical lament as a bridge to hope. Against the backdrop of East Tennessee's beauty and trials, readers are invited to discover their own path to healing.
Queen Kia’s Guide Through Loss and Grief by Aniesha Jackson
 
Parents, educators, and grief counselors will enjoy the easy, but engaging way Queen Kia helps the reader move towards hope and healing after a heartbreaking loss by sharing lessons she has learned during her grieving process. Gift this book to any person, young or old, who needs a warm hug and a realistic and affirming guide to dealing with the passing of someone dear.
​Caged Momentum:  A memoir of goodness in grief by Ruby Cheng
 
This is a book for anyone whose life has been turned upside down from what they expected. I was one of them when my mother passed away from an aggressive form of breast cancer, when infertility crushed my dream to start a family, and when my husband suddenly passed away at the young age of thirty-nine.
The Smiling Moon: For all the healing hearts coping with grief and change by Lauren King Solly

"The Smiling Moon" is a sweet and uplifting story intended to help children navigate through the waves of grief. Providing lessons on love, change, hope and certainty, "The Smiling Moon" is an endearing book based on the Authors own true story. Children will learn that even though a loved one dies, there are ways to stay connected. Children will also learn that love never dies. The end of the book includes ideas to honor a loved one, ideas for self-care, and some uplifting activities such as journaling, and coloring.
After: Journeys Through Grief by Robert Pardi

"After" is a poignant exploration of life's contrasts, delving into the "before" and "after" phases that emerge from profound loss. The AD (after death) moments we will all face. In collaboration with a diverse group of individuals who have experienced various forms of grief, Robert Pardi curates a collection of raw, unfiltered stories that illuminate the transformative power inherent in the journey from darkness to light.
Navigating the Five Stages of Grief: Understanding the five stages of grief can and will give you, dear reader, peace of mind and heart by Scott Douglas

​Understanding the five stages of grief can and will give you, dear reader, peace of mind and heart. You will find practical guidance to help you heal. As a unique individual the application will depend on your particular situation, personality and beliefs. You will find several blank pages through this handbook, use them to write down your thoughts and what you are feeling. Some pages will be for you to write about your loss.
Stabler’s Important Job by Kelsey D’Amore
 
An engaging story about a therapy dog's observations and experience with grief. Stabler teaches children what grief means, what grief can look like, and how to navigate those difficult emotions. Children can learn how to talk about their big feelings and what happens in the brain when a pet unexpectedly dies. This book is based on the real life therapy dog, Stabler, and the impact that he had on clients in the North Texas community.
Strong: Life, Loss, and Eternal Love for My Daughter by Ashley Cain
 
In Strong, famous English footballer and reality television personality Ashley Cain takes you on an emotional journey through the depths of grief, the power of resilience, and the unwavering strength of a father's love.
Profound anguish. Ashley's memoir explores the profound impact of his daughter Azaylia's passing in 2021, a tragedy that shook his world to its core. Through his words find solace and connection with the tragedy of losing loved ones to cancer.
Sudden Loss, Slow Grieving: A clinical psychologist’s personal journey through grief by Vanessa Moore
 
Vanessa's husband Paul dies suddenly and tragically on their regular Sunday morning swim. How will she cope with her dilapidated house, her teenage children, the patients who depend on her? Will therapy help? Why do mysterious white feathers start appearing in unexpected places? Beautifully written and honestly relayed, Vanessa uses her professional skills to explore the many questions posed by unanticipated death, and to try to find a way forwards.
​​Coping With Loss: Nurturing Resilience Through Grief and Difficult Times a Practical Toolkit for Self-Help Healing ​by Maria Holden
 
By learning more about the concept of grief and working your way through the important stages of moving on and letting go, this book will help you take back control of your life and start your new chapter.This comprehensive guide is filled with actionable tips, tools, and techniques that will empower you to take charge and break free from the shadows of grief that have been overshadowing every aspect of your life. 
​​Winter Grief, Summer Grace: Returning to Life after a Loved One Dies by James E. Miller
 
James - a minister, grief counselor, retreat and workshop leader, photographer, video producer, and the author of Augsburg Fortress's Willowgreen Series and A Little Book for Preachers. An acclaimed writer and photographer, Miller helps people deal effectively with life's momentous transitions. His messages relate to inspiration, grief, caregiving, and tending that which is sacred.
​What Happened To Zoey?: A Book About Grief for Kids by Auntie Angie
 
This is a heartwarming children's book that explores the theme of loss and coping with grief. The story revolves around Chloe, a little girl who shares an unbreakable bond with her beloved dog, Zoey. Together, they embark on countless adventures and are inseparable.
Grief - A Philosophical Guide by Michael Cholbi
 
Michael draws upon psychology, social science, and literature as well as philosophy, Cholbi explains that we grieve for the loss of those in whom our identities are invested, including people we don't know personally but cherish anyway, such as public figures. Their deaths not only deprive us of worthwhile experiences; they also disrupt our commitments and values. Yet grief is something we should embrace rather than avoid, an important part of a good and meaningful life. The key to understanding this paradox, Cholbi says, is that grief offers us a unique and powerful opportunity to grow in self-knowledge by fashioning a new identity. 
​​Good Grief by Brianna Pastor
 
This book is for anyone who has struggled with questions of identity or coped with serious emotional issues, including grief, trauma, anxiety, and depression, this collection will help you find hope on the other side. 
​The Dash by Linda Ellis
 
The Dash is based upon the world-famous poem of the same name by Linda Ellis and includes a collection of stories about people whose lives were impacted by this special message. For more than 20 years, The Dash book makes a meaningful gift for anyone in need of encouragement, whether they're students just starting out or family members celebrating life achievements.