The Workplace of the Future: Let Your Conscience Be Your Guide

Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the challenges of 2020 and 2021, and how the struggles we have experienced both personally and professionally continue to take a toll. For many of us, there was personal stress, heartache, and loss. And outside of these very private challenges, the way we interact with one another in the workplace has significantly changed.

For those who telecommute, video calls have been an absolute savior, but it’s hard to ignore the burnout we feel after a long day of business talk and two-dimensional communication. Don’t get me wrong, working from home has countless benefits, but it also comes with unpredictable challenges. Think about the social connections and countless friendships that are built over the years in the office. These relationships grow naturally through informal work conversations, conferences, coffee breaks, and happy hours. Many of us miss those personal moments of human connection and sometimes it feels like we took it for granted. But I like to believe everything has a silver lining, and I have come to recognize that now, more than ever, we must strive to prioritize organic connections––even if we need to get creative with it!

What the pandemic taught me about emotional intelligence

Eva Yazhari, a CEO and investor, recently pointed out to Forbes that our definition of success and leadership is rapidly transforming, and now more than ever we need conscious leaders who do more than “business talk.” Or, as she puts it, those who “lead with purpose and inclusion… who inspire others while also considering everyone and everything in orbit.” This really spoke to me!

Before the pandemic, my personal philosophy was to “proceed as if success is inevitable,” and most of my time at work was focused solely on business outcomes. Work/life balance was a challenge to say the least, and in retrospect, unattainable. I found myself putting in longer hours, taking fewer breaks and vacations, and skipping personal connections in meetings just to get work done. I evolved from work-life balance to striving to work-life harmony, but that still felt unattainable.

But now, in the post-pandemic landscape, my new philosophy is much more human: to live passionately, honestly, and optimistically; to promote emotional connections and powerful collaborations. And as Jiminy Cricket might say, to first and foremost let your conscience be your guide. I’ve learned that when the world becomes noisy and chaotic, listening to and trusting the voice in your own head allows you to focus on what matters. And, as Eva mentioned, what matters most is people. This paradigm shift has impacted every area of my life, including my leadership style.?

With that in mind, here are four key lessons I believe all leaders can embrace right now:?

1. Find joy at work – Productivity is always important, but if we want to achieve even more we need to find joy! Research shows that joy is a vital component to our work performance, and the more we enjoy what we do, the better we perform.
2. Build relationships through empathy – Before the pandemic, I jumped straight into meetings with to-do lists and data. Now, I start every meeting with a few minutes of personal connection and understanding, and I’ve noticed a major transformation in my team. It’s a practice I will always carry forward.?
3. Live with passion and take risks – Trusting our instincts is scary, but it’s also empowering when we lead from a place of purpose and passion. Life is too short not to take risks and go with our gut, and as leaders, we can lead the charge and drive change from a place of empowerment.
4. Embrace mentorship – My family became a guiding light during the pandemic, and it showed me how important having a variety of mentors can be, even if they come from unexpected places. Once we make decisions from a place of empowerment, the voices around us can support us in bringing our passions to life.
5. ACT – Change often starts with action, and in addition to my personal philosophy, my three guiding principles have become “Authenticity, Consistency, and Transparency (ACT)." When we ACT to prioritize what matters, our workplaces will become healthier and happier for everyone.

How to be the change and live passionately in our next chapter

For those of us looking to the future and trying to visualize the workplace of tomorrow, I encourage you to take time to reflect on your own personal philosophies and your approach to work. We can all become conscious leaders by:

• Defining our philosophy: Listen to your voice, trust yourself, and find the guiding principles that drive you. And encourage others to find and be their own guiding light.
• Empowering our teams: When we lead from a place of authenticity and empathy, and encourage our team to do the same, we forge stronger partnerships. Make it a habit to listen to the people around you, start meetings with human connections and make time to support one another.
• Living with joy and celebration: Finally, find what makes you “tick” and pursue your passions! If we lead with joy and optimism, we create joyful and optimistic environments that pave the way for success. And don’t forget to let people celebrate your magical moments along the way!

What’s Next?

Although many of us are still sorting through the noise of the last year, I know that if we ACT from a place of honesty, integrity, and passion we can make the post-pandemic world a better place. And I can’t wait to see how your leadership changes the world.

I’d love to hear from you about how the pandemic has shifted your perspective on work, how you’re prioritizing what’s important, and your strategies for leading from a place of purpose and passion. Let us know in the comments. Any shared strategy can help all of us!

Until Next Time,?

Alyssa Fitzpatrick