Be Bold
Early during the pandemic, when COVID-19 had just begun to reshape our lives dramatically, I asked my clients to use this challenging time as an experiment in self-discovery.
I thought this would last a few months, not over a year. So, now that we’re slowly returning to a version of our pre-pandemic lives, I’d like to ask this question: What lessons have the pandemic taught you?
I’ll go first! I learned that I could effectively coach and facilitate sessions via Zoom, but I still crave the energy that radiates in a room filled with people. I’ll never take that for granted, and I can’t wait to return to in-person sessions. On the flip side, the discovery that I can still meaningfully connect with clients virtually means I’ll probably spend less time in airports because I want to reduce my number of road days to have a more balanced life.
Remember, the COVID experience has been different for everyone – so be honest with yourself as you reflect on the past year and figure out what changes you want to hang on to, which things you’d like to drop and what you took for granted.
For example, one client admitted that he didn’t miss his busy professional social calendar that was paused during pandemic times. The events caused him stress and anxiety and sapped his energy, but he’d say “yes” because he felt obligated. Moving forward, he’s committed to politely declining unnecessary events to keep his battery from running down.
Be Bold
Now is the ideal time to recalibrate and decide what works for you in your post-pandemic work and personal life. Listen to your gut, and be bold in your ask!
Whether it is something in your personal life, work or on your team, don’t just colour around the edges.
If you don’t miss traffic and dry-cleaning bills and want to work remotely, don’t ask your manager to work from home one day a week. Instead, ask to make it three or four days.
Make a list and set up a meeting with your manager or team, or family.
A team that I worked with recently implemented “No meeting Fridays.” Inside or outside their team.
It’s pretty bold. But it was born out of this Zoom fatigue and will continue post-pandemic. After all, how can we get our work done and engage in our creative stuff if our meeting calendar is always fully booked?
New Routines
I recently finished a Friday end-of-day session with a client and asked if she was ready for a glass of wine. First, she said, it was time for her Peloton session, then the Chardonnay.
Many of us have developed new exercise routines during the pandemic to cope with lockdown isolation and stress and felt the benefits physically and emotionally.
Some of my clients have requested an old-school phone call instead of videoconferencing so they can walk and talk. The conversations are more engaging when you’re not distracted by your inbox or the open spreadsheet on your desk. Plus, you get your steps in.
Pre-pandemic people wouldn’t do that. Instead, they would just plow through meetings, never considering taking a break for a walk.
We’re starting to realize it’s OK to schedule exercise during the workday. As we return to work and meetings and deadlines start accumulating, commit to scheduling your new exercise routine, or it may get lost. It’s up to you to take care of your health and energy.
Reshaping the workplace
Have you had a Zoom meeting wearing a shirt and tie and track pants?
I expect that the workplace will look much different after the pandemic, including how we dress.
Some company leaders who I work with have discussed relaxing dress codes.
We used to show up in our best dress or suit. Now we’ve gotten used to sharing a more authentic, less corporate version of ourselves with our colleagues – including casual clothes and cameo appearances by our kids, spouses and family pets during video meetings.
The old mantra of “Never let them see you sweat” has been replaced by sharing our vulnerabilities, struggles and triumphs. As a result, we’ve become closer while working apart.
As we start to return to the office, it’s up to the leaders to continue transforming the workplace. First, schedule a meeting with your team to talk about what the pandemic has taught us. If you want your team to be more vulnerable or courageous, you need to show them what that looks like.
These conversations can be one-on-one or with an entire team, depending on your group dynamics.
Here are some questions to get the conversation started:
What have you learned about yourself that you didn’t know?
What have you added to your life that you want to keep?
What have you dropped that you don’t want back?
What would you like to remind your future self about what feels important right now when things go back to normal?
Want to talk more about what the pandemic has taught you or how to make transformative changes? Contact me.
