The new 'norm'- what does this look like?

With the easing of restrictions underway across the country, I’ve been reflecting on the past few months and how we have adapted and settled into what has become the new normal. Most of us have our technology working well now (although for some like me its meant asking my kids for help on many occasions!). Parents have become overnight ‘’experts’’ in home schooling. Dogs have appreciated having people around not to mention the multiple daily walks; cats are still figuring out why humans have invaded their space. Active-wear has become the new corporate attire and any walls previously in place between ‘’work’’ and ‘’life’’ have come down. Leaders have adapted to managing remote workforces, employees have adopted to new ways/routines of doing things, and I somehow feel we have become so much more connected, albeit remotely. Most importantly, we have all come to appreciate the value of kindness.

A big challenge facing many leaders at the moment is how do we transition back to the ‘’old way’’ of doing things, and importantly, should we? A big realisation for many people is, most of us can work from home effectively. But, does working from home seem like a breeze at the moment because the majority of people we are interacting with are also working remotely? Are we as productive, or more productive, working remotely? 

Here are some reflections from my own working from home experience:

-         I am really enjoying building deeper connections with my team and key stakeholders.  Daily, these people are welcoming me into their homes and lives and we are genuinely sharing more of ourselves.  There definitely seem to be new levels of trust within workplaces and organisations are understanding the importance of managing to outcomes, not inputs.

-         I am most certainly working longer hours but it’s been my choice to do so, and with the commute from the kitchen or bedroom to the study being a short one, its been easier to get more done. The days are flying by and my sense of time has completely gone.

-         My dogs have never been walked so much before and I’ve certainly appreciate the physical and mental benefits of being more active.

-         I had grand ideas of being able to connect with my kids and husband moreso during the day, but with teenagers that have thankfully adapted really well to remote learning and a husband working in a dedicated space at home, we seem to all be ‘’doing our thing’’ in separate spaces, albeit all under the same roof.

-         I have forgotten the pin number on my credit card as aside from trips to the supermarket, I’ve hardly shopped. And quite enjoyed it to be honest (as a self-confessed shopaholic I never thought I would say this)

-         I’ve overdosed on some series on Netflix that were on my list to tick off, I’ve caught up on some projects around the house, and I’ve really enjoyed not having to play Uber driver for my kids whose sports schedules leave me exhausted! My family haven’t felt the benefits of more home cooked meals, but they don’t seem to have minded.

Some of the key learnings I am taking away:

-         One of the best quotes I’ve seen during COVID-19 is ‘we are all in the same storm, not the same boat’. This has been a great reminder that everyone has been impacted different ways, and coping mechanisms are different too. It’s been fascinating to witness people’s resilience rise to the surface. 

-         I’ve learnt that even the most senior leaders are still trying to ‘’figure it out’’ and that they too make mistakes. And that’s ok.

-         As we rush to get back to what was ‘’normal’’, I feel calmer, somehow more in control, and positive that the road ahead has great things in store.

With the rapid changes we have had to make recently, what practices will we keep in place and what will we revert to?

-         Many leaders are scratching their heads about how we get people back to an office with social distancing, commuting challenges, hygiene regimes etc; and what if people simply don’t want to return? The physical return may be relatively simple by developing and adhering to procedures and guidelines, but how will people adapt from a health and wellbeing perspective?

-         If we have now figured out how to onboard candidates into an organisation remotely, what does the future of work look like?

-         What does the future of corporate attire, office space, prescribed work hours look like?

What will you be choosing to do differently in the new norm?