Coming out in the post pandemic world has definitely proven a more head scratching moment for leadership teams in agency than managing the transition to lockdown. The key variable here is the vast array of possibility around what a new normal could look like. All of this against an uncertainty of a potential of a second virus spike and a return to a fully remote workforce.
Our habitual desire for certainty has been disrupted by COVID and we have all been challenged to rest in ‘the unknown’ in almost every area of our lives. It has perhaps fostered a new-found respect for a more intuitive responsiveness to the challenges we face in our businesses rather than looking to best practice models.
Some of the pressing issues facing people businesses especially those that rely upon the – collaborative creative approach – is how and when to bring together teams in a way that keeps them commercially competitive, whilst balancing the needs of staff facing transportation, childcare, health and social isolation issues.
The COVID-19 crisis response led by most companies has thrown out some unexpected results. Our collective vulnerability has opened up the opportunity and desire for more meaningful connection to each other. In situations where compassionate leadership behaviours have been present, employees have felt the metaphorical arms of the company envelope them and it has forged unprecedented levels of connectedness and mutual understanding.
For many small businesses it has super-charged internal communication and sense of collectivism as opposed to individualised self-interest. Our remote locations have forced the need for more consistent purposeful communication from leadership teams and it’s paying dividends internally and externally in terms of employee engagement and client trust.
Internally, our proximity previously took for granted an osmosis style communication that doesn’t always prove the most effective means of fostering understanding. The aftershocks of this approach will reverberate in company culture for years to come if the opportunity is taken to build upon this increase in trust.
Emerging out of lockdown
This is a watershed moment for the business world. As leaders, we get to re-write the rules on how we move forward. Strong leadership coming out of COVID is an ease with not knowing. Being prepared to try stuff that feels right for you and your business and being prepared to change direction quickly.
Staying connected with the needs and wants of your clients must be the guiding principle to ensure market competitiveness. It is from this point that we look to understand how we can pivot our working practices to deliver for our clients whilst meeting the often-complex and changing needs of our people. Remaining open minded to different ways of working and embracing the opportunities for change that could transform our business in ways we might not have previously imagined. With career burnout in the agency world so prevalent it’s normalised, we must remain open to the possibility of doing things differently.
Here’s what we know about flexible working and its vapour trail:
- Results of a US poll, conducted mid-crisis, suggest that 59% of remote workerswould like to continue to work remotely as much as possible once restrictions on businesses and school closures are fully lifted
- According to studies from Stanford University, remote workers also take fewer sick days and less vacation time, giving them more work days overall.
- The same study saw reduced employee attrition rates for remote workers who spent 2 days per week working at home
- Remote working will not suit everyone, some companies allow employees to self-select with an opportunity to measure performance, this often results in the most motivated group remaining home based
- How to schedule meetings when all employees work 2 days from home? Consider rotating the days at home so there always a percentage of workers in the office.
- Alternatively, you can consider scheduling mandatory in-the-office days
- Ultimately, you don’t need to have all the answers now, testing what works best for your business is the only way you will find out