Advice for Returning to Work
COVID-19 has disrupted the work-lives of millions of Americans. We’re several months in now and we’ve all had to make adjustments to the ways that we work. Some people are just now getting back to work after time away from furlough or layoff. Others have been working, but their business slowed down and is just now starting to ramp up. In any case, we’re all doing our best to adjust to a new reality and a new way of doing things.
As you may be preparing to return to work, here are some things to keep in mind to make it a smooth transition.
1. Communicate
This is a broad suggestion, but it can apply in a lot of different ways. There are many people you may need to check in with as you get back to work, especially your clients and coworkers. Hopefully, you’ve been in touch with your clients to some extent, but definitely take the time to reach out and see how they’re doing both personally and professionally. If it’s a past client who you’re hoping to get back into business with, you have a perfect ice breaker since we’re all dealing with the same kinds of issues right now.
Being out of the office shouldn’t mean being out of touch with your coworkers. We all need community and socialization right now, even if it’s virtual. Check-in with your coworkers and see how they’re doing, if they need anything. Different parts of your organization might have different workloads, so maybe you can lend a hand if they’re overwhelmed.
No matter who you’re talking to, skip the small talk! Things are so heavy right now and there isn’t any point in pretending that everything is hunky-dory. We are all facing stress and unusual circumstances. Everyone is going through something right now. It’s not that every conversation has to be deep or intense, but people might appreciate a little more straight-forward talk than they would normally. Maybe someone in your network wants the chance to ask for help or a client wants to share a personal struggle they’ve had during COVID. Assess what you can handle, but know the value of a truly open line of communication.
2. Make Adjustments
Know that in spite of our best efforts, there will be growing pains and awkwardness in adjusting to the new reality of working. This might be in the form of mastering Zoom (we’ve covered that!) or figuring out how to be productive in a slowed work environment. You might have more time than usual to pursue projects like database organization or sales outreach. Figure out those ways to be productive and to help your organization and to maximize this time. When things pick up again, you’ll be glad that you set yourself up for success.
Take the time to learn a new workflow that fits with the circumstances, whatever they may be. Evaluate your entire strategy and see if it still works with the new realities we’re facing. Maybe you’re more comfortable with in-person selling and you need to find a way to get comfortable with additional phone calls or Zoom pitches. If you’re a decision-maker for your company, be prepared to pivot! Everything that worked before may not work going forward. It’s a great time to consider all of the underutilized value that your company can bring or services that you can provide that might be more important in a post-COVID world.
3. Be Kind To Yourself (And Others)
Last, but possibly most important of all, make space for mistakes and learning. We are all relearning how to do business on the fly. People have kids at home when they would usually be at school. Home offices are being set up overnight. There are so many things that can go wrong and it is a hard thing to work in the middle of an international crisis that threatens people’s health. Go easy on yourself. Give yourself time to adjust to the new normal and extend that same courtesy to clients and coworkers. Everyone is different and their comfort levels will reflect that. One of the best ways to ensure a smooth transition for yourself and your organization is to be patient. Have patience with everyone around you as we all learn to adapt together.