Leadership and the Silver Linings of Coronavirus
As I’ve been watching the news of COVID across the United States and the news around the world, there may be a few silver linings in the wake of this pandemic.
Here’s what I’m noticing lately:
Increasing awareness of hygiene. As the State of Texas put it on Instagram the other day, “when washing your hands, wash for at least 25 seconds, scrub like you’re about to change your contacts after chopping a jalapeno! Get scrubbing ya’ll!” I appreciate their approach in proactively reminding employees to keep washing their hands.
Not taking our health for granted! More than ever before, the simple things in life matter. Practicing gratitude for good health is something I’m grateful for this spring. Take a moment, reflect and practice a little gratitude - see what this does for your mood. I’ve noticed in business and social settings, we’re all so grateful for our health more than ever.
The rise of the fist bump. While I love a great handshake, given the current circumstances; it’s okay to offer a fist bump, elbow bump or wave hello right now. Here’s more on that:
Jeff Levin-Scherz, M.D., Boston-based co-leader of the health management practice at consultancy Willis Towers Watson, said wellness education should emphasize changing the way we great one another. "Don't shake people's hands, it's just silly," he noted. "Encourage people to use a fist bump" or wave hello, instead. (Source: SHRM 2020)
Using common sense. If you’re traveling or in an open-space area - sanitize your workspace at least once a week with a Clorox wipe or spray, use hand sanitizer regularly, stay home if you’re not feeling well, always cough into your sleeve, and always wash your hands after using the restroom. (no brainer!)
More compassion - if you find yourself sick or an employee comes to you and shares they are under the weather. Be compassionate and use common sense. Encourage them to stay home. Align with any workplace policy, but there is no time like the present to be flexible and encourage that they stay home! Better safe than sorry.
Increasing the focus on flexible workplace cultures. I’m super passionate about this one. I’ve often noticed that as a whole, sometimes we “lag” behind the rest of the world in terms of flexible work arrangements (compressed work weeks, etc.) that can be found in the EU, Netherlands, Japan, etc.
Let’s dig in on the flexible workplace cultures and what’s trending right now:
Flexible Workplaces: A Growing Trend
About 43 percent of U.S. workers work remotely in some capacity, according to the 2017 version of Gallup's annual report, The State of the American Workplace. That percentage is up from 39 percent in 2012, which indicates a moderate but steady increase in teleworking. (Source SHRM 2020).
Tapping into Technology:
We live in a great age of technology. Where we can be connected 24x7 to work AND stay connected on the go. The exciting silver-lining of COVID is this may help organizations update, refresh and re-evaluate flexible work policies including:
Flex work schedules
Compressed work schedules
Part-time work
Job-sharing
Work remote policies
Wellness in the Workplace Trainings and Offerings
Business Continuity Planning
And more!
The other silver lining is the opportunity to fully allow technology to support finding talent anywhere in the world to support business needs. By allowing for more remote work, top companies in the Bay Area can explore additional areas outside of the high cost of living zip codes and explore alternatives and top talent in other parts of the country and world, building pipelines and contingency plans.
Looking ahead:
Many tech organizations last week announced indefinite work remotely policies to help proactively reduce contact and the spread of the virus.
To continue operations, many organizations are using technology based video conferencing like Zoom, Google Hangouts, Skype, and instant-messaging tools like Slack, in addition to email and virtual meetings to stay connected and get stuff done with teams that work anywhere in the world.
Limiting Exposure:
According to the CDC, here are some additional precautions you and your team can take at work:
Avoid unnecessary work travel right now.
Encourage virtual meetings and if needed, working remotely may be helpful.
Take precautions in open work spaces and even in the food buffet line when it comes to workplace cafeterias.
Avoid unnecessary high-risk travel to countries that are at higher risk according to the CDC.
If you’re not feeling well, stay home.
If you’re leading a team and someone is sick, encourage working from home (if possible).
Finding Balance
When it comes to the news of COVID, I’ve noticed a range of responses from lack of concern to the other end of the spectrum including those that are hyper-cautious. Notice where you fall and see if you can find a balance. It may just come down to having more awareness of where you fall and noticing what matters most to you and your loved ones wellbeing. Take precautions and notice if you’re taking it too far. Stay connected and in the loop with the latest from the CDC. And notice if you need to turn off the news and take a breather.
What’s next?
I’m encouraging the leaders I’m working with to be supportive and mindful when it comes to employee engagement and workplace wellness right now. Asking them: how can we encourage engagement and flexibility on the team, so everyone can stay healthy right now? What can we learn from this? What policies and HR strategies could be revamped? Is the travel necessary right now? Do we have solid wellbeing training and food handling training to reduce additional exposure in the workplace? What technologies can we tap into to increase collaboration and learn that we can be just as effective in the office as we can anywhere remotely in the world?
How can we stay healthy?
How can we be more mindful?
How can we be more compassionate?
What can you do for self-care?
What biases do we have that are getting in the way of unleashing a more productive and engaged workplace, even with working remotely?
What old stories/narratives of working remotely do we have in place that could be reframed to support more collaboration, more diverse talent, great productivity, and more geo-diversity around the world?
I invite you to practice compassion with yourself and others. Practice gratitude. Practice good self-care: good sleep, gratitude, doing something for fun, moving your body and taking a few deep breaths. Feel free to take a break from the news and your inbox. Listen to your intuition and take control over the information coming at you. Practice good boundaries and see what makes sense for you.
Abby is a writer, speaker and certified executive and workplace mindfulness coach who helps leaders and organizations reach their goals through communication, coaching, and alignment in their lives. She partners with Fortune 500 companies on employee engagement efforts, executive coaching and group coaching initiatives. Learn more and sign up for her newsletter via her website at: abbyleadershipcoaching.com.