Thoughts for teams transitioning back to the office.
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We've all been deeply impacted by the COVID-19 closures and repercussions of social distancing. As many communities are re-opening, we're sharing our thoughts for steps small business owners and entrepreneurs should consider to help their staff and teams re-enter their work environments:
Check In.
Create an environment of open communication with frequent check ins. Communication during this season of change might be the most important item on this list. Strive to be as open as possible with your team, and encourage honest communication frequently. If your employees feel unable to bring concerns to you (or management), the workplace will likely end up feeling strained and tense. Be available for conversations as much as possible, and allow your team or employees to use avenues they're most comfortable with (like zoom meetings or slack messages/email) to voice their thoughts.
Be agile.
There's NO one sized fits all method for this. We're all in new territory. That calls for huge amounts of emotional intelligence, wisdom, and flexibility. If you try something to get your team or staff "back in the office" and it feels wrong or overly difficult (or unfair), be willing to change. It's okay to try something, and it's okay to readjust if that something isn't working. Take it day by day, and be as receptive to change as possible.
Take it slow.
Many people are feeling pressure to return to "work as usual". The truth is... that's not a realistic option. Things have changed. Even if many things feel normal, the fact is, we as people are generally struggling to find our footing. Here's something to consider: how productive are your people going to be if they're feeling hyper aware of every single surface they touch? Consider allowing your employees to work remotely for as long as is reasonable so that they feel more in control of their situations, and more comfortable once they're back in the office. Autonomy here is key- people need to feel in control of their safety as much as possible.
Keep your personal opinions personal.
Building on the previous thoughts, we strongly urge small business owners to keep their personal opinions about this situation (IE: COVID/closures/government issues) to themselves within reason. Here's why: whether you like it or not, if you're a team leader or an employer, people are looking to you as their guide on how things will work from here on out. If they're hearing fear, conspiracy theories, or personal agenda's from you (even with the best of intentions), it might (READ: probably will) affect their ability to focus on work. Additionally, although many business owners are close with their teams, many often wrongly assume that their employees share all their personal beliefs. Frequently, this conflict is often hidden, and can lead to very uncomfortable work environments in the long term. At it's worst, this can lead to staff turnover during the time you might need your team the most.
The bottom line- keep communication strong with frequent check ins, be flexible, and stay professional by limiting sharing your personal beliefs. People are resilient, and capable of strength we don't often tap into. The more we come together over our shared experiences during this time, the stronger we will all become.
We’re with you, and we’re rooting for you,
