Q&A with Marsha
Here’s a crazy truth: work and life have been in a constant state of change for the past 18 months. It’s a mind-blowing thought and certainly a challenging reality to navigate. We shifted to remote work and established new protocols and now with the onset of hybrid work, our work lives are changing again. While hybrid work can be a wonderful thing, having to reshape how we work once again isn’t an easy task.
In my last newsletter, I asked you to submit your questions and share your challenges during this time of transition, and interestingly, many of them fit into the themes of relationships, communication, and productivity. So below, I’m answering your top questions using insights from my coaching work. I hope you’ll find something helpful in each of them.
Let’s get to it!
Question Theme #1: Relationships
“I enjoy the freedom of working from home but I'm finding it hard to feel connected/bond with my team when I'm not in the office as most of them. How can I maintain my WFH flexibility without jeopardizing professional relationships?”
This question is the very definition of what we’re all facing as we adapt to hybrid work. Because we’ve always been able to rely on the organic interactions pre-COVID work-life afforded, this one might feel like it’ll be challenging to navigate but here are a few simple actions you can take to nurture those work relationships.
Be intentional about conversation. This is the number one piece of advice I can give in this realm. Because there aren’t as many hallway run-ins or organic lunchtime chats, be purposeful about talking to colleagues whether it's on Slack or the next time you’re in the office.
Don’t be afraid to reach out individually. If large team dynamics or group Slack channels feel intimidating, there’s nothing wrong with seeking out one-on-one interactions. Creating individual relationships within the structure of a larger team is a wonderful way to stay connected without feeling like you have to approach the whole team at once.
Check in about more than just work. What’s going on in someone’s life that you can thoughtfully ask about? While it was always a good habit, this practice is something that came out of the pandemic due to necessity and is a healthy, work-appropriate type of vulnerability that fosters connection.
Question Theme #2: Communication
“While my office stresses that coming in is optional, there’s a sense of pressure to be in the office. Managers have started asking employees to be onsite for certain meetings, or commit to coming in once a week. The rationale is that it’s good for team building and morale but from the employee side, it feels like management doesn’t trust us or are coercive simply to maintain “control.” How can I have an open conversation about this with managers without animosity or contention?”
This is certainly a difficult situation and one that’s applicable widely. The conversation doesn’t have to be uncomfortable at all and knowing it’s such an important one, approach it with the intention of understanding and be ready to engage in some collaborative problem-solving. Start by suggesting it would be good to find out everyone’s individual preferences then use that information to establish a new baseline of trust amongst the team. Often, assumptions are the reason for well-intentioned but unsuccessful organizational procedures so don’t be afraid to be open and honest so you can walk away feeling heard and with a solution to put in place.
Question Theme #3: Productivity
“A challenge I’m facing is figuring out which tasks to save for home and which to do at the office! I have more clarity at home for strategy and zoom meetings and at the office, it’s about executing and community but work and meetings aren’t neatly siloed like that.”
Another great question. Try breaking down your tasks into categories then compare them against timelines. From there, schedule your workload and workweek using what you know about your tasks, deadlines, and which work is best accomplished in solitude or invigorating as a team effort. Meetings and assignments can pop up unexpectedly and deadlines can shift, but starting with an organized plan like this creates room for flexibility you might find yourself needing.
We’re still in a state of adaptation to hybrid work and naturally, there will be bumps in the road and questions about how to face them. Whatever challenges you’re overcoming, communicate your needs with your managers, be honest with yourself and your team about what you need, and most of all, be patient with the process.
If there’s personalized help I can provide you or your team, I’d be happy to chat to understand your needs and how we can create solutions to help you succeed.