Beyond The Pivot

We made it to 2022 - how was the ride? I certainly could not have predicted what has unfolded over the last two years and I am not a fan of surprises. To say that the world went through a surprising number of twists and turns would be an understatement.

Little did we know when we got onboard in 2020 the roller coaster we were about to experience. It was shocking, jolting and maybe even at times just terrifying. But we - the people - came together (for the most part) in business. Acts of compassion for one another were embraced and we all found community in the uncertainty in which we found ourselves. Leaders of corporations and of families were faced with traumatic and sometimes impossible decisions. Some handled them better than others. Most notably, 2020 created the most over coined term in business -- The Pivot. And we pivoted like no other! Some businesses thrived while others stabilized and yet many folded. It was an unprecedented year in business but also in our personal lives. Even if we wanted to get off the roller coaster of uncertainty, we couldn't. And 2021 came around again for another loop.

We held on, white-knuckling the handle bar and hoped for a light at the end of the tunnel. In fact, many experienced a few smaller hills and even positive signs of what we once considered normalcy. While what were once thought to be temporary pivots became longer standing business practices. This ride was going to be longer than we thought. Hybrid work, remote onboarding, and virtual collaboration became more of a theme. Our work blended into our home. We still held on for dear life.

Good thing we did.

Now in 2022, a fresh new year is upon us. Most assuredly, it will come with another set of challenges. So brace for it and be calm. The responsibilities for managers and their teams may be new ones to tackle. We've coined new phrases two years later --hybrid work, the Great Resignation, Mass Burnout — on and on. But instead of fearing what may await you at the top of the hill, take that breath and pause.

This year, take time to acknowledge and recognize your teams. Allow them to take pride in themselves and how your business persevered through this unforeseen period of profound change and uncertainty. Forgive yourselves for the rest. Then accept we don't always have control of what is to come.

I suggest we refer to those "pivots" as a "practice" in the coming year. As offices return in a full capacity, hybrid, or remote fashion it is imperative for all of us, but especially leaders to set the tone. Make it a practice to be open to problem solving, not pivots.

There will be inevitable tension and conflicting viewpoints where people feel caught in the middle between employees who want to keep working from home and senior leaders who want everyone back at their desk.

There may be difficult or unexpected changes with customers and business partners. Change is inevitable. Address your company issues with an open mind. Find out the root of what's driving concern.

Maybe employees fear the loss of their job, or your customer fears their products won't be ready on time, or a senior leader feels the team isn't performing at the same levels remotely as they once did at their desks. Any of these are possible in the coming year. Once we understand the root cause, solutions can be brought forward.

Who knows, data may show that remote work is beneficial to the company and not just to individuals. Perhaps recruitment opens up a wider candidate pool when localities are no longer an issue. Wild success in the months ahead may be just around the corner!

Keep communication - both frequent and transparent. Break down the barriers the new "pandemic" world has created. Everyone from the top down has had an intense two years. The pivot is real and also, never-ending. Change and uncertainty are difficult in business and in life.

As we take on (dare I say embrace) the events of 2022, managers should make special efforts to recognize employees. Let your people know their flexibility and their adaptability has been key to the company's ability to pivot. We may not know all that the future has in store, but if the team has a shared vision and responsibility, they can also share some little wins along the way, success is within reach in the year ahead.

Be well everyone. And let's flourish together in 2022!