It’s become apparent over the past year that where people work doesn’t affect outcomes as much as we might have imagined. Discovering that we don’t have to work in a formal environment to be productive has dramatically shifted employee expectations.
The EY 2021 Work Re-imagined Employee Survey finds that more than half of respondents (54%) say they would leave their current company if flexibility in schedule and work location is not extended post-pandemic.
Most organizations are developing hybrid return-to-work strategies to reflect changing employee expectations. But employees play a critical role in creating the workplace of the future by adopting or improving personal attributes that will ensure professional success.
“When we are no longer able to change a situation, we are challenged to change ourselves.” Viktor Frankl
Challenging times provide an opportunity for growth. Viktor Frankl didn’t just survive inhumane conditions as a prisoner of war, he discovered a higher purpose. We all respond to challenges in our own ways and at our own pace, but ultimately we will need to adopt ways of work that align to the needs of our organizations.
We’ve all had to adapt to rapidly changing conditions. Ever-evolving, and sometimes contradictory, information requires us to think critically, work effectively under pressure, take on new responsibilities, and exercise tolerance and agility. This is no longer a temporary state - the work world will continue to transform and our ability to flex is paramount.
The way individuals are reacting to this pandemic varies greatly. Getting along well with others, despite widely differing views, requires enhanced levels of empathy balanced with well-defined boundaries (you can’t help others if you are struggling). EI requires a focus on the present, self awareness and self-regulation, and the ability to read others and to learn from mistakes. Watch a short video to learn how to develop your own emotional intelligence.
You don’t have to manage other people’s work to be a leader. Leadership is also about self-awareness, accountability, the ability to give (and take) feedback, and the ability to communicate effectively. Real leadership is not about a position, it’s about action. You can be an informal leader, regardless of role.
The term ‘thinking outside the box’ has never been more relevant. Finding new ways to do things, and sometimes finding altogether new things to do, requires vision, curiosity, and imagination. Learn more about how you can dramatically improve your creativity.
The same innovative technology that allows us to work securely from anywhere, anytime, also makes work omnipresent. We can now carry our offices in our phones. Constant access to work may seem inconsequential, and even handy at times, but will eventually lead to burnout - especially for leaders who want to stay connected but happen to lead a team of early birds and owls. There are ways to ensure work/life balance, and it’s up to you to implement them.
According to Stephen Hawking, scientist and human extraordinaire, “Intelligence is the ability to adapt to change.” Ultimately, the ability to acknowledge change, and then adapt by taking action, is the difference between surviving and thriving.
Life. Career. Opportunity Awaits. If you have any questions, are considering a change, or just want to chat, we would love to hear from you.
At Urban Legal Recruitment, we have experienced, along with our clients, the impacts of COVID-19. We’ve made the necessary adjustments to ensure the safety of our team members and our clients.
