We Will Get Through This

When Covid-19 hit us last March, I sure didn’t imagine that we’d still be fighting an extremely complicated pandemic at the end of the year. But here we are, and despite all the good news of multiple vaccines, we now know there is still a long road back to what might be called “normal”. And most likely some of the changes we’ve made this year will now become the “new normal.”

Hard as it is, we have to admit that we can’t manage the way we used to. Alternatively, maybe it’s time to stop trying so hard to make things fit the old definition of what it meant to manage others.  A recent post on FastCompany.com had some good advice. If you didn’t see it, here are some nuggets that should make any manager’s job a little easier.

Gather information from your staff.  Ask what would work for them. Leaders used to make the decisions then tell people when the decision was final. But now we are all operating in the dark, so ask for input. Think about various situations. An employee whose kids are self-sufficient teens can work from home during what used to be called “work hours”. Conversely, a single parent with young children who has to monitor on-line school would be grateful if they could alter their hours to work later in the evening when the kids are in bed. Flexibility is a concept we all need to embrace. The phrase one size does not fit all has never been more appropriate, and FastCompany.com reports that employees who feel heard are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered and successful. There are positive outcomes of being flexible.

Share what you know with your teams. Be as open as you can be with your staff members. With so much uncertainty, any bit of solid news can make a big difference. One important example, if you are still working remotely, keep people informed about your plans to return to the office. Some organizations have said they will be fully remote until the end of first quarter 2021. If you have yet to make a decision, be sure there are no surprises such as announcing on Friday that effective Monday, everyone is expected in the office.  A good practice is to let people know that they will receive at least six weeks’ notice before asking them to return to the workplace. There are a lot of moving parts to something that sounds as simple as no longer working remotely. Remember the chaos when everyone was suddenly sent home.

Recently we posted a blog on building trust. We reminded our readers that showing vulnerability is a great way to build trust. So, let your employees see that you are human and be there for them to the best of your ability. 

A final note on 2020, we are grateful for you and wish you a happy 2021. And remember, we will get through this.

Barbara & Cornelia 

Just Breathe

As we near the end of what has been an exceedingly difficult year in so many ways, one word keeps flashing in my brain—breathe. No doubt we all know that we must breathe to stay alive. We do it unconsciously. But 2020 has given the word new meaning.

Covid-19 impacts our lungs, and the sickest patients are placed on their stomachs to help them breathe—which seems counter intuitive but obviously works. As the months rolled on and the pandemic worsened, I was extremely grateful for the ability to take a deep breath anytime I want when so many other people can’t. 

Then there was the murder of George Floyd. We all watched in horror while he cried out that he couldn’t breathe. It was heart breaking and Americans of every race took to the streets to protest.

The good news that resulted, however, is we are having conversations about race which is encouraging. We’re not going to let this moment pass when so many of us have been awakened to what needs to change in our country so that we truly live up to these powerful words from our Declaration of Independence: “We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal…” 

We just completed a highly partisan election and are moving to a new administration. Lots of people seemed to be holding their breath as returns slowly came in and a decision was finally announced. Some people are now able to take a deep breath and move forward where others aren’t ready to do so yet.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been able to take heart in the news of highly effective vaccines that should be available soon. This is such great news and brings us hope. Yes, this good news should help us breathe a bit better, but we still need to wash our hands, wear our masks, and stay at least six feet apart when we’re around others.

As the end of 2020 approaches, remember those who lost a loved one this year.  Be grateful that you can breathe.  And let’s keep working toward “a more perfect union” which we know our beloved United States of America can and will be again.

Barbara Mitchell

Year-End Gratitude

If there were ever a year that we are grateful to see end, it’s 2020. Yes, it started with some bright promise that quickly faded as COVID-19 invaded and took control. Let’s not focus on the dark side, however. Despite the cloud that’s hung over us, there are some things for which to be grateful.

Change was thrust upon us, and organizations learned that remote working can be successful. Once we do emerge from this pandemic, the workplace will change. Hybrid working arrangements – some days at home, some days in the office – are likely to be the norm in many industries, ushering in a new era for work-life balance and flexibility. And job seekers will have more geographic flexibility as the realization takes hold that workers don’t have to live in the same city where the employer’s office is located. This is just the beginning. 

For us, we’ve enjoyed personal successes on the writing front, for which we are grateful. It started in February with a surprise package from our publisher containing The Manager’s Answer Book translated into simplified Chinese, and The Big Book of HR translated into Vietnamese. And while we haven’t received it yet, foreign rights were sold for The Conflict Resolution Phrase Book, which will be translated into Arabic. 

February also brought the opportunity from our publisher for a 10-year anniversary edition of The Big Book of HR. The ink was barely dry on the contract when the pandemic hit, making us totally rethink how some of the revisions will need to be addressed. But hey, who doesn’t like a challenge and the opportunity to stay busy.

A big thrill came in late May when we were notified that The Manager’s Answer Book was the winner in the career book category of the prestigious Next Generation Indie Book Awards, which our fabulous agent, Marilyn Allen, encouraged us to enter. Unfortunately, the awards ceremony, which we’re told is a magical night in the publishing industry, moved online like so many events. We watched it on Facebook Live while we were “together” on the phone. If nothing else, this year has been about innovation and creativity as we all coped with a new reality.

The writing success we are most grateful for is that last Tuesday, December 1, marked the release date and journey’s end for They Did What? Unbelievable Tales from the Workplace, which was finally published after years of work. Now we can look to 2021 for some new challenges. 

Finally, and most importantly, we recognize the many people who contributed to these successes. They include our families and friends, our readers, and our support teams who helped us get this book (and our blogs and social media) edited, finished, distributed, and promoted. We are especially grateful to them. 

Even in these trying times, take a moment to acknowledge your own personal successes and express gratitude to the people who touch your lives. We wish you a healthy and happy 2021.

Barbara and Cornelia