The year 2020 challenged every manager in some capacity. Not only did managers need to adapt to new risks and ways of work, but we also needed to do so while facing huge anxieties and issues outside their control.
Lessons learned in the past 12 months will stick with us for a long time. However, these same experiences will also make you a stronger manager. Here are some of the most important lessons learned from COVID-19.
Lesson 1: Proximity and Collaboration Are Important
People need to work closely to collaborate effectively, but you don’t need to be in the same room to do that. Scheduling in ways to communicate while emphasizing and empowering the importance of putting in the extra effort is a key lesson for managers.
Lesson 2: Trust is the Key to Productivity
Managers already know that micromanaging drains productivity, but trust is the key to unlocking productivity. Whether your team is working at home, in the office, or in a combination of the two, you need trust, or you could face a lack of engagement, higher rates of stress, unnecessary workflows, and low productivity.
Remember: to succeed as a manager, you need to build a trust that works both ways: you must trust each other.
Lesson 3: There’s Value in Keeping Sick Workers at Home
We tend not to skip work unless we are physically too weak to drive, but the pandemic showed how our health is all interconnected. Fostering a healthy workplace culture where people not only feel free, but are encouraged, to call in sick can boost productivity.
What would you rather: one worker takes a long weekend, or a whole team battling the flu? It will take work, but teams who know they can add value by staying home when they’re symptomatic could change the way we work for the better.
Lesson 4: Showing Vulnerability Wins the Day
Whether you’re working from home or the office, employed or looking for a new job, homeschooling or not, no one is having a good time. Being vulnerable and sharing your challenges reminds everyone it’s okay to be human.
Lesson 5: Resilient Organizations Are the Way Forward
This pandemic isn’t the first, and it won’t be the last. Managers are a key part of building resilient organizations because they build culture. So, as you move through 2021 and beyond, ask yourself: am I doing what I need to do to keep my organization afloat?
We Can Help You Navigate Through COVID-19
The lessons learned in the past year will make us stronger and more personable managers. Are you looking for top talent? We can help! Contact us today to get started.
