Reflections from 2020
As we fast approach the end of 2020, the majority of us will look back and reflect on how Covid has impacted us. For most individuals and businesses, this year has been one of survival, rather than growth and success.
During the 20+ years of working within the recruitment industry I have never encountered a more challenging time, and I have never felt a stronger urge to help people. From my own personal experience, and working with some fabulous clients and candidates, my areas of reflections are as follows:
1. Lead with empathy – On a daily basis my colleagues and I are speaking with people, all of whom are experiencing different emotions from stress and fear, through to opportunity and optimism. Taking the time to listen, support, encourage and inspire can make a huge difference to someone’s life. We should never under-estimate the value of kindness!
Companies that have encouraged an empathetic style of leadership will reinforce a great company culture; and will no doubt thrive moving forward. Equally, companies that have mismanaged employees through the pandemic should brace themselves for a large number of ‘flight’ risks as the employment market begins to return back to normal.
2. Remote Working – Yes it really does work! It has worked wonders for many people, improving their health, time with loved ones, and overall productivity. Whilst remote working isn’t for everyone, organisations with a strong remote and /or hybrid working operating model will have a business advantage. Retaining and securing the best talent will become easier and will not be limited by geographical location. Personally, I prefer a hybrid approach where I can enjoy the benefits of both remote and on-site working.
3. Personal Branding – Individuals who have made a conscious effort to build their personal brand by creating content, sharing insights, and engaging with others will have an advantage over their peers. Whether it’s searching for a job or selling a product / service, you cannot underestimate the power of a strong personal brand. I have always relied on reputation and a ‘known’ network, and it’s only this year that my attitude towards online personal branding has changed.
4. Employer branding – Quite simply if you don’t have a strong employer brand then you will struggle to attract the best talent. A clearly defined employer brand that captures the culture, working environment, and value of the business is critical. Most candidates that we engage with will often say that the reputation of the company is of high importance in their decision making process, with both Glassdoor and LinkedIn acting as focal reference points.
5. Hiring Behaviour – I’ve engaged with more candidates during the pandemic than at any other time during my career. Many of the candidates have had previous hiring responsibilities, and now find themselves in the unenviable position as a job seeker rather than a hirer. We all know that a poor hiring experience can sabotage the recruitment process, from a lack of feedback and slow response times, through to intimidation techniques, and focusing on the wrong areas.
Interestingly, the feedback that I’ve received from a number of job seekers with past hiring responsibilities is that they will change their hiring behaviour moving forward. Making a conscious effort to provide comprehensive feedback, be more understanding of someone’s current situation, and place more emphasis on a candidates attitude and transferable skills as part of the overall selection process.
6. Support communities – There has been an exponential rise in support communities, providing a platform for emotional support, education and learning opportunities. The power of being ‘human’ has been moving to see.
Whilst many of us will be pleased to wave goodbye to 2020, we cannot dismiss some of the positive outcomes from this year, whether that’s remote working, environmental benefits, or lifestyle changes. One thing is for sure, 2020 will be a year that we will never forget!
What are your reflections from 2020?
Digital Business Partner - Women & Child Health at Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust
4 年Good article Phil. A couple of thoughts Pro's 1. Spent more and quality time with family and close friends 2. No commuting :-) 3. Flexibility Cons 1. Lack of office camaraderie Cheers Steve
Phil. Good article. I would add ......communication. The more our company kept us informed, the less was the anxiety of the staff. The same goes goes for applicants and kindness and understanding goes a long way. ??
(1) Legal/Contracts Advisor and (2) Meditation & Wellbeing Lead
4 年Oops - 6 above
(1) Legal/Contracts Advisor and (2) Meditation & Wellbeing Lead
4 年Thank you Phil for your post. Reflecting on a personal level.... HIGHLIGHTS 1. Spent more and quality time with family and close friends (when allowed) 2. Brought forward in the right direction my interest and passion 3. Better/more positive state of being 4. Recognising people’s TRUE nature 5. Taking up art 6. Learning to bake?? COULD BE BETTER 1. Existing business 2. Recognising and actioning own negative thought patterns as soon as they arise 3. Wider girth as a result of 5 above?? Ok - above is nothing to do with candidates/employers, but some things may resonate with people. Look forward to catching up soon Phil!