In the world of financial planning and corporate leadership, an “anchor” is a symbol of stability, safety, and long-term vision. Recently, I had the pleasure of celebrating a milestone with Andrew Runnion and the team at Anchor Financial Partners (Northwestern Mutual – North Atlanta) as they moved into their beautiful new office.
Andrew was kind enough to share a photo displaying my book, Caregiver Tsunami, alongside their signature anchor sculpture. While the visual was striking, the symbolism behind it was even more profound.
The Anchor in the Storm
When an advisor like Andrew builds a plan for a client, they are looking at the long game. They are preparing families for the unexpected. Yet, there is one “unexpected” event that is becoming a mathematical certainty: Caregiving.
We have officially entered the Longevity Age. We are living longer, but often with complex health needs that fall on the shoulders of the people we love. For many employees, caregiving isn’t just a personal responsibility—it’s a second full-time job they bring to the office every single day.
The Hidden Workforce Crisis
The statistics are a wake-up call for every leader and HR professional:
- 63 million Americans are now serving as family caregivers.
- Chances are, a significant portion of your top talent is currently “navigating the current” of eldercare, medication logs, and hospital transitions during their lunch breaks.
- Without an “anchor” of support, these employees face burnout, decreased productivity, and eventually, the difficult decision to leave the workforce entirely.
Why Anchor Financial Gets It
When Andrew displayed Caregiver Tsunami in his office, he sent a powerful message to his clients and his team: “I see the whole picture of your life.”
He recognizes that financial health and family health are inextricably linked. Organizations that acknowledge the caregiving journey aren’t just being “nice”—they are being strategic. They are building a culture of fierce loyalty and resilience. They are becoming the anchor their employees need so that those employees can, in turn, remain anchored to their work.
Chances Are… Your Team Needs This Conversation
As I launch my new keynote program, “Chances Are,” I am challenging leaders to look beyond the clinical data and see the human heart of their organizations.
Whether you are a financial firm, a healthcare provider, or a tech startup, the caregiving wave is coming. The question is: Will your organization be swept away by the turnover and burnout, or will you provide the anchor that helps your people ride the wave?
To Andrew and the team at Anchor Financial: Thank you for leading with vision and heart. Here’s to many years of stability and success in your new home.