Black dogs on the shop floor – Liam Kelly

There’s a small book that sits on a shelf in my under-the-hall-stairs office sandwiched amongst all the others dealing with retail, marketing and gardening. This small volume could easily be missed, but it’s probably the most important book in my library.

Its title is ‘I Had a Black Dog’ and what it does better than anything else I have ever read is show what it is like to live with depression. It is not a self-help book. It does not provide radical solutions. It does not claim it will banish that ‘Black Dog’ in the title. Many could find it childish and perhaps even glib, but for countless people it articulates, explains and exemplifies how they feel using perceptive illustrations and plain language. ‘Black Dog’ as an expression for depression, melancholy or whatever other label suits the condition, has been around for centuries and has been used by the likes of Samuel Johnson, Sir Walter Scott and Winston Churchill at various times, so it’s hardly a new term, but its longevity of use is probably because it’s a useful way of visualising that mood. Perhaps because it’s giving that feeling the shape and form of a physical entity it lends itself better to discussion and use by those who might not normally like to talk about something so personal, so stigmatised and so hidden.

Within retail in general and our sector, in particular, this Black Dog is rarely mentioned. Maybe our fragile egos don’t want to show weakness or be judged or pitied, particularly on the shop floor. There is also the well-argued point that gardening (and by default, working with plants) is a therapeutic pastime, reinforced by customers constantly making comments like, “It must be lovely to work with all of these flowers” and “I’d love to work here, my garden makes me so relaxed”. I think it’s fair to say that those who make these comments don’t realise the pressure of operating in such a busy environment or the mental strength required by those working at the coal-face of retail. Dealing with customers, other staff members, management and business owners plus the constant need for hitting targets and order deadlines can all take their toll. One rarely gets time to stop and smell the roses.

It’s not just the minions that can suffer from mental health problems. Business owners with financial issues can be affected too, with these extra issues adding another level of weight on to an already overloaded mind. Certain people, whether by mental strength or perhaps a more simplistic thought-flow can deal with these issues easily, but there are many who simply cannot cope with these added burdens. But in retail and the businesses that surround and feed it (growers, wholesalers, agents, etc.) nobody talks about it, to anyone.

There might be the box-ticking exercise of a few lines in an employee handbook or an occasionally forced bonding exercise but in reality, nothing is really discussed and everything is hidden, often until it’s too late and the only words then spoken are, “Oh, I never knew….” And let’s be really clear here, there are many Black Dog owners in retail and therefore plenty within the gardening sector.

In reality, the reasons why someone has unwillingly adopted this mutt vary hugely from person to person. It can be the pain of the actual physical work, money worries, the constant barrage of questions from customers and management, or friction in your interaction with your colleagues that put a mental strain on your psyche. Or all three, or a multitude of other reasons. Much of the time it is a combination of other nonwork-related issues which can be triggered by something or someone in the workplace. Part of the problem is that even though you are constantly surrounded by people such as family, colleagues, friends and customers you can still feel utterly alone, with your own Black Dog pulling you closer to the abyss.

There is no time in your whole life that you will feel as hopeless, worthless and useless as when you are standing on the edge of that chasm waiting to be pulled helplessly forward into the comforting numbness of oblivion. It’s not easy to understand that all you need is to take one step back.

All may seem bleak but a vital step is recognising that there are solutions, and one of the key things is finding something, just the smallest thing to make you shuffle backward, something – or perhaps someone – to help lessen your grip on The Dog or at least reduce its momentum.

SEEKING HELP

These solutions are not simple or black and white but as with everything in life, business and specifically in retail, it starts with communication. Talk to someone, and perhaps talking to your GP is a good start, as they are honest, impartial and clinical in their assessment and can help you with medication if needed. There are no quick fixes, indeed it can be a slow process and it’s important to rid yourself of negative influences and, as difficult as it may be, start doing small positive things like exercising more, enjoying family life, changing bad eating habits, reading more for pleasure and being creative – whether that’s writing, painting or crocheting, the actual process is more important than the end product. That’s an important point, as too many people just live for the business and have no hobbies.

Does everyone in your organisation take holidays and enjoy their daily work breaks? Some people find it almost impossible to switch off, but it’s that downtime which is important, as it allows your brain to rest, reset and reform.

CREATING DISTANCE

As difficult as it might be it’s important to rid yourself of any negative environments or personalities around you no matter how drastic that decision may be. Other people egos and their lack of empathy and understanding are unlikely to change so it is important to distance yourself physically and mentally from them. This is especially important for those in the higher echelons of a business; the whole ethos of mental wellbeing permeates from the top down.

As ruthless as one needs to be for business dealings it is important for staff morale and a healthy psyche to have a degree of the above-mentioned empathy, a scarce thing in business it seems, as those who are mentally strong may lack that trait of understanding and compassion.

HEALTHY MINDS, HEALTHY SALES

So what’s the point of all of this? Why should we all care a little more about each other? Well, a clinical – if perhaps cynical – view would be that it impacts on staff mood and morale, which impacts on actual sales, so if we want to appeal purely to a certain type of business owner’s mercenary side then healthy minds equal healthy sales…

But beyond that, surely there’s a need for nurturing a healthy, communicative environment within every store just for its own sake? Isn’t there a need to care for others while still looking after yourself? Is that a little simplistic, naïve and ‘snowflakey’? Too lovey-dovey? Possibly and probably. But we should still just take a minute to look around, see if we can spot someone with a Black Dog in their lives and ask them if they are OK. Maybe it’s time for retail to deal with the Black Dogs on the shop floor. (‘I Had a Black Dog’ is written and illustrated by Matthew Johnstone and is available from the usual sources).

LIAM KELLY – Since establishing Retail Services & Solutions in 2007, Liam has become one of the most influential people within the retail side of Irish horticulture. His knowledge of the mindset and ethos of those in this sector, combined with his problem-solving ability, experience and hands-on work ethic make him uniquely placed to offer advice and help to those who need it most. Key to his success is his knowledge of purchasing, pricing and sales combined with his understanding of layout, signage and merchandising, and how the interaction of these can lead to increased sales and profits. His focus is on garden centres, nurseries, hardware and DIY stores, where discretion, honesty and unbiased opinion are crucial and appreciated by those who secure his services. Liam Kelly, Retail Services & Solutions, Garden Centre Design & Consultancy, 086 822 1494, 059 913 0176, lksolutions@eircom.net