Covid-19 proved to most of us that we are flexible and can respond in a split second to making significant change and do it well to save the company and its human assets. Companies transitioned to having their people working from home very effectively and efficiently.
Months have passed, the risks are better under control and for many countries, the process of returning to work has begun.
Now comes the big challenge of how we transition from the home office to workplace.
In discussions that RdL has had with people (and their children) across many companies, they all rapidly adapted to the change of working/schooling at home but are nervous or reluctant to return to work/school.
People will look forward to the social interaction but will be reluctant to give up the flexibility they have had for so many months.
Leaders need to have a robust plan in place that takes into account the staged return to work. There needs to be high levels of collaboration and the establishment of new rules and policies that accommodate social distancing at the workplace.
We are once again entering into a new stage of unknown as we return to the office and as great leaders, we need to show compassion, support, understanding, and patience whilst still ensuring we deliver on our financial and people goals.
The leaders will be faced with unprecedented demand for their time as their people work towards settling back into their work routines at the office and re-establishing the close team network that effectively delivered results for the company prior to the Covid19 pandemic.
It will not always go right the first time and there will be plenty of false starts, tension, anger, emotion and disappointment along the way.
As a leader, the key thing to remember and share with your people is that ultimately, we are stronger as a team and together we can make a difference.
