News from the Room
Grief doesn’t always look like what people think.
It’s not just crying at funerals or taking a week off.
More often, it shows up like this:
– Zoning out in meetings
– Forgetting basic things you normally wouldn’t
– Feeling overwhelmed by tiny tasks
– Snapping at people for no good reason
– Saying “I’m fine” when you’re absolutely not
And here’s what most workplaces still don’t get, grief isn’t something you get over in a few days.
It’s something you carry with you.
Everywhere.
Including work.
Let’s talk numbers.
If your organisation has around 1,000 people, here’s what grief looks like in a single year:
55 will lose someone close, a parent, child, partner, or sibling.
14 will struggle to show up mentally, emotionally, or both.
Up to 6 will develop prolonged grief disorder. That’s the kind that mirrors PTSD.
Over 30 will feel the impact for months — unfocused, disengaged, or burned out.
And more than 25 will leave quietly, taking their skills, loyalty, and experience with them.
These stats are based on Australian and US data. This is happening in real organisations, right now.
And yet, we still treat grief like a private problem. Something to deal with “on your own time.”
But grief doesn’t care about your calendar.
It doesn’t stick to personal leave.
It doesn’t clock off at 5.
It sits in inboxes, in Zoom calls, in that weird tension no one can name when a teammate returns to work after a loss.
Here’s the thing: when workplaces ignore grief, it doesn’t disappear.
It just goes underground.
And when that happens, people go with it. They pull back. Or burn out. Or leave.
At Room Eleven, we aim to help organisations stop that from happening.
Educating teams on how to understand grief, build resilience, and support one another through it, without awkward scripts or HR buzzwords.
Because when you make space for grief, people don’t fall through the cracks.
They find a way forward.
So does your team.
The 411
This Week at Room Eleven
We’re Hiring!
To help bring the Guinness World Record attempt and fundraising event to life, I’m looking for a Fundraising Event Coordinator. Just one day a week to start, helping with logistics, coordinating with the venue and production team, and making sure everything runs smoothly.
It’s a volunteer role at first, but if they do a great job and the event hits its goals, there’ll be a revenue share before any profits go to the hospital.
A chance to make a real impact and be part of something that matters.
Know someone who’d be perfect?
Or interested yourself?
Hit reply and let me know!
Idea I’m Pondering: Scooting for Hope Community Challenge
What do you reckon, should we open Scooting for Hope to schools, clubs and families?
An old boss of mine reached out earlier this week with the idea. He suggested we invite others to join in by scooting shorter distances in the lead-up to the big event.
I haven’t decided yet, but it’s got me thinking.
Scooting for Hope is built around a 24-hour scooter ride on 29–30 November 2025 to raise funds for the Pregnancy After Loss Clinic at the Royal Women’s Hospital.
But what if we made it bigger?
Imagine schools, families and community groups all doing their own mini-challenges, scooting 5, 10, 25 or 50 km, collecting donations per kilometre, and helping raise awareness and funds along the way.
It could be a powerful way to bring people together. But I’d love to know what you think. Would you or someone you know get involved?
Hit reply and let me know. I'm all ears.
Weekly Musings
What I’m Reading: Morning Star - Book 3 of the Red Rising trilogy
I’m deep into the final book of the trilogy and while the pace has shifted a bit, I’m still loving the ride. It’s reached that point where all the big reveals and character arcs are coming together, and now it’s charging toward the finale. It’s not hitting quite as hard as the first two, but that’s probably because the stakes are so high now — I’m nervous to see how it all wraps up.
Still, it’s a brilliant series and I’ve absolutely flown through it. If you haven’t read it, the story follows Darrow, a lowborn miner in a brutal caste system on Mars, who infiltrates the ruling class in a rebellion that explodes across planets and generations. It’s sci-fi with the pace of a thriller and the intensity of a war epic, Hunger Games meets Game of Thrones, set in space.
Really hoping this one sticks the landing, and fingers crossed someone turns it into a TV show.
It’s got all the makings of an epic adaptation.
What I’m Watching: Mission: Impossible – The Final Reckoning
This one just dropped, so I took Mum to Village Gold Class for a bit of a treat and a proper action-packed night out.
I’ve followed this franchise for years, ever since watching the first one on VHS when I was way too young. The later films, especially from Ghost Protocol onwards, have had a sharper edge. Tom Cruise has really leaned into the big set pieces and practical stunts. Whether or not you're a fan of him off-screen, there's no denying the guy puts everything into making a great movie.
This latest film feels like a great bookend to a fantastic franchise. It does some clever throwbacks, brings back a few familiar faces (even ones you might have forgotten about), and ties a lot of threads together.
The story picks up where the last film left off. Ethan Hunt is up against a rogue AI, racing against time with the fate of the world on the line. Big stakes, big action, and a solid payoff for long-time fans.
It’s bold, relentless, and satisfying in all the right ways. A great send-off for one of the most consistent action series out there.
If there’s a thread tying everything together this week, it’s probably backing yourself even when the path ahead isn’t clear. Whether it’s committing to a world record attempt and event with no guarantees, wondering if a book series you’ve loved will stick the landing, or hoping the final chapter of a film franchise makes the landing, there’s something powerful about choosing to take the leap, even if you can’t see the other side.
That quote I heard this week, “Fail on your own terms”, has really stuck with me. It reminds me that success isn’t always about chasing the outcomes. Sometimes it’s about knowing you gave and are still giving it everything, even if you’re not sure how to reach the target yet.
So here’s the takeaway: back yourself. Try the thing. Start the project. Say yes before you feel ready. Even if it doesn’t go perfectly, it’ll be yours. And that matters.
If you’ve got thoughts on the Scooting for Hope community challenge idea, want to throw your hat in the ring for the fundraising coordinator role, or just want to share what you’ve been reading or watching lately, hit reply. I’d love to hear from you.
See you next week!
Rob
Giving Back
Donate a Still Billie Box
Our care packages for families who’ve lost their baby, named after our baby daughter Billie. Offering comfort during what should be a joyful season. Your donation can make a real difference in allowing us to provide free Still Billie Boxes to hospitals across Australia.
Room Eleven is a social enterprise business and does not qualify for DGR status.