The pandemic continues to ebb and flow and although we may be out from underneath the challenges of lock downs, combining working from home with home schooling and limited travel opportunities, most workplaces are feeling the ongoing effects including exhausted staff, changes to the way things are done and effective communication about new financial year goals – delivered in a way which lands with exhausted staff who are seriously over this whole Zoomiverse thing!
We need to all find way to open and maintain communication – especially now as everyone attempts to get back to normal – whatever their normal looks like.
Right now around the world:
- Many people are feeling discontent and almost resigned to their exhaustion
- Parents, some of whom are very demoralised with relationships showing big cracks, are even more exhausted from months of balancing work and parenting duties without much of a break and many are hesitant to discuss their situation with their managers because they don’t want to be judged or to be seen as whinging.
- Tired managers don’t want to take the softly softly, empathetic approach any more – because they have their own sh*t to deal with – so they focus on productivity and daily tasks rather than building relationships
- Frustrated senior leaders are struggling to find the right message to rebuild the culture as people return to work and adjust to change and are left wondering if anyone even cares anymore
Here are some strategies that you can use [whatever your work role] to start and maintain communication:
- People are over being pressured into having to react because everything has been couched as a crisis – give them to space to think things through and reconvene again at a later time or date
- Bring solutions to the table rather than an emotional bag full of problems – this means keeping things low-drama and high on facts that can be acted on
- State clearly what your intentions for the conversation/meeting are so that everyone has clarity and can move together towards achieving that outcome
- Consider walking around your workplace or team, finding out from others what is impacting them right now – this will give you current and relevant information about what they need which in turn will inform your approach to communication. Your goal is to get them engaged, not to push them away.
- Refer, in an empathetic way, to the challenges people are facing when sharing current business or team goals eg “Despite the stress and challenges we have all faced over these past two years, I want you to know that I am confident ………” OR “Without ignoring the challenges we are all dealing with, I want to share what……..”
- Demonstrate lines of communication are open by asking open ended questions in a non-invasive manner eg “Is there any challenge you are facing in your life outside of work that will give me some context here?” This is a useful start to a conversation when you are concerned about attitude and/or productivity of an individual person
- Provide positive feedback about how behaviours rather than only commenting on the work produced as this will increase your chances of having it heard – “Thanks great job” would be replaced by “Thanks for working so hard on this project. I really value your input”
- Remember that many people feel they have been running on the spot for several years now – almost trapped – so use language which demonstrates movement and how far things have shifted eg “I am really impressed with what you have been able to achieve in a short time”
Lots is going on around us. The pandemic is into year 3 and everyone is under pressure in some way. We need to keep adapting the way we do things including the way we engage with each other. Our best results – personal and private – will come when we remain connected with each other.
I help people managers develop their leadership and communication skills. There are many different ways that you can work with me including my Deliberate Re-Set program, one on one coaching packages and team coaching. Drop me a note [[email protected]] if you would like more information or follow me on Facebook www.facebook.com/bethberghan Talk soon. xx