Following on from our previous blog regarding the stages of change. We continue to look at how we are currently managing the changes in our personal and professional lives.
The only certainty we currently encounter is the level of uncertainty that each day brings. We hear a lot about the New Normal, and what part of the New Normal will ultimately become embedded in our lives post Covid19 and become the normal.
So, in the future, it’s possible more people may be working from home on a more frequent basis. In some places public transport might be less crowded and prove to be a more pleasant commute. One or both parents may mind their children while they work from home, reduce their creche fees, and substantially increase their disposable income. Overall, there may be some positive outcomes in the way we live and we may create a renewed sense of values as a result of the current Covid19 crisis.
The current situation has reduced the influence and control that we normally have in our lives. The word CAN’T is now very much part of our vocabulary, and suddenly we all have become familiar with the things we CAN’T do; this needs a huge readjustment for those people with a CAN-DO attitude.
Just prior to when the recent lockdown was implemented, businesses big and small implemented new ways of operating. Depending on the industry type, these behavioural changes were easily adopted in some instances and in other instances the required behavioural change of some employees was difficult to implement.
How is it personally impacting on you?
Personal Concerns-Sometimes Overwhelming
We are currently experiencing change that would have been incomprehensible just a few short weeks ago. We are all concerned with the impact that Covid19 is currently having on the physical and economic health of the nation, however we need to focus on the things that we can influence and control.
Into the future, leaders will need to deal proactively with individual and collective concerns to help employees to better manage the change culture that will be required to help them work productively into the future.
We all need to remember that as individuals go through the change cycle it usually takes place on a phased and sequential basis. Individuals concerns for their own health and safety, their future job security, can be used as positive motivators to embed the required behavioural changes.
These changes will need to be imbedded in the individual and corporate psyche in the next weeks and months as we all return to normal as possible working with Covid19 still very much being part of our everyday lives.
Communicating the Change
In order to get full buy in to the changes that will need to be introduced, leaders will need to fully explain the underlying reasons as to why the changes are being introduced, and that change is going to be constant, it is the new environment, no longer something just to pay ad lib to.
Implementing Change
The plans around Implementation will need to be flexible and realistic. There will need to be regular feedback and review to maximise production and output in what is going to be different landscape with very specific controls and procedures.
Managing Misinformation
Leaders will need to recognise that some employees more than others are vulnerable to the misinformation that is so readily available on social media. Across the organisation those in leadership will need to use the same organisational playbook and deal with the facts so that they become a trusted source to assuage employees’ fears. Remember, people probably spend more time with the people and teams that they work with, now more than ever, meaningful conversations need to take place where messages are delivered and more importantly understood and acted upon.
There is no difference between a pessimist who says…
“the situation seems hopeless so I am not going to take any action”
and the optimist who says…
“I am not going to take action because it is all going to turn out fine in the end”
Be the REALIST and take charge
So, be more effective and identify:
-what you can influence
-what you can control and
-communicate to connect
-to stay calm
-be supportive, flexible and available
and the New Normal may prove to be less challenging for you and the teams that you lead.