Time to read: 1.57 minutes.
Wonderful Rebels!
My clients are talking about returning to the office. Many of my clients are responsible for planning the return or leading teams through this change. I'm hearing things like...
"Our CEO thinks we can simply welcome everyone back to the way it was before."
"I like working from home."
"I don't miss my commute."
"Some people can't wait to come back. Others aren't sure they're ready."
"What about vaccines? Masks?"
"I'm not sure my company is returning to a physical office."
"We all met up for coffee, and it was exhausting to interact with so many people for an hour."
It's a delusion to think we can simply "go back to the way it was." There is no "going back." And there is no "way it was" after the chaos, confusion and upheaval we've lived through. We've each had distinct experiences of the past year. Some people came through pretty smoothly. Others are still suffering the mental, physical and economic effects.
Regardless of the details of your personal situation, you are changed. Workplaces are changed. What we need going forward has changed.
So what do you do?
This is the point when I write a list. (Fun fact: My high school friend, Christy, found a box of notes I had written her our sophomore year. My notes were full of bullet pointed lists, even then. I'm consistent.)
- Be in transition. Acknowledge that returning to the office and figuring out what to do now is a big transition for everyone involved. Drop any expectation that things will "return to normal" and simply be in transition for as long as it takes.
- Return consciously. Be transparent about feelings. Be honest about changes in priorities and needs. Intentionally design how your workplace will operate. Create agreements.
- Anticipate messy. People will mess up. They will have feelings. Things will feel wonky for a while. There will be adjustments as you get used to being back. If you're ready for the messy bits, you can roll with them more easily.
- Have an intentional plan to handle the wonkiness together with compassion, grace and good humor.
In the absence of consciousness and intention, you get conflict. People's assumptions and differing needs will crash into each other. People won't know what to do when tensions flare or they will resort to the good "ole standbys of judgment, blame, gossip and criticism.
Accept the complexity of the coming months. When you do, the process of change will be much easier.
Reach out if you'd like to talk more about creating a smooth return to the office. I'm here to help. (And I always love to hear from you.)