With the vaccination rate rising and life returning back to semi-normal, many offices are returning to regular 9-5 life. It’s been over a year and a half since the transition to zoom calls and working from home. If you’re finding the adjustment back to traditional professional life a bit challenging, you’re certainly not alone.
10 Resources for Professionals Heading Back to the Office
For post-pandemic anxiety:
As Life Begins To Return To Normal, Psychologists Say Expect Anxiety
We are emerging from a period of mass anxiety and fear, and that is also extending to reopening. In an NPR interview, psychologists describe that there is an array of emotions–from fear to excitement to discomfort. The interview explores how many are still cautious and question if this is really the end of the pandemic. And more than anything, change is hard, especially after a traumatic event, which the pandemic was for several people. The interview gives some coping strategies. Many found new hobbies during the pandemic. Psychologists say to hold on to those things, even as life returns to the hustle and bustle of before. The psychologists agree that making time for joy will help with easing the anxiety and grief that comes with resuming normal life.
Leadership in a post-Covid-19 world
7 Leadership Traits For The Post COVID-19 Workplace
A time of great uncertainty can reveal great leaders. During the pandemic, supervisors and professional leaders worked through the crisis and created a safe work environment. Dana Brownlee for Forbes argues that these leadership traits are crucial in the reopening stage as well. Candor, reliable communication, empathy, and flexibility are leadership skills that professionals need to carry on for an effective and comfortable workplace.
Work life balance
During the beginning of the pandemic, work and life blended together as we all joined zoom calls from our living rooms and answered emails way past the end of the day. This tike taught valuable lessons that we use moving forward on how to balance work and family life. In her TED talk, business analyst Patty McCord explored four lessons about work-life that we have learned throughout the pandemic. One, your coworkers aren’t family, they’re your team and boundaries are important for maintaining that team. Everyone is an adult and everyone has stuff going on, both at work and in their personal lives so we must exercise grace and patience. McCord also points out that day to day has changed that people are able to figure things out as they go but the most important thing is communication. For work and for life, communication is key to keep a balance.
Strength from the Pandemic
Coming Out of the Pandemic Stronger
Surviving a critical event like the pandemic can actually make a business stronger. In an Entrepreneur interview with Nicole Walters, CEO and founder of Inherit Learning Company, we learn how the switch from in-office to online work strengthened her business and team. The pandemic made people come together and find a process that worked to grow a company. Walters stresses that no matter good times or bad, it is important to have a clear process that all team members understand. It is this form of communication and restructuring that allowed her to emerge from online stronger than ever.
The New Networking
The Introvert’s Guide To Networking During COVID
Even with in-person events resuming, business experts predict that hybrid networking through social media and online platforms will be around for a while. In a Financial Diet article, Lian Parsons-Thomason writes about how online networking can be really great for introverts or people who sometimes struggle with traditional networking events. Parsons-Thomason advises to utilize the power of the internet through following up on social media outreach and using Linkedin to the fullest extent. Add in blending virtual events with in-person ones if comfortable to create hybrid networking that works for you.
Returning to the office
Returning to Work Soon? Here Are Some Ways to Make the Process Easier
Many workers got comfortable with working from home during the pandemic. While returning to office life is exciting, it can also be stressful. In an article published by the Cleveland Clinic, a psychologist weighs in on how to regain motivation for returning to the office. Anxiety can be a motivating factor so the key is to turn that anxiety on its head and make it a positive. Psychologists recommend making returning to the office a treat by sprucing up your office space or refreshing your work wear. Taking control of stress through eating better and a routine sleep schedule is key to returning to work, especially since being at home comes with more restful time. Psychologists also recommend setting clear boundaries with your health and safety; it is okay to still wear a mask or practice social distancing if you need and try to ease into the workplace.
Socializing post-pandemic
Do We Know How to Socialize Anymore?
Many of us have not interacted face-to-face with colleagues, coworkers, and even friends and family in over a year. To go from all online interaction to in-person meetings is an adjustment to say the least. Many feel like their social skills haven’t been engaged and are worried about returning to social interaction. Celeste Headlee, a journalist and conversation specialist reminds us that humans are literally built to socialize; it is an evolutionary instinct, so while you may feel rusty, it will begin to feel normal. Headlee emphasizes patience and starting slow. Ask questions, embrace the uncomfort, and know your limits. Take a break and breathe through social situations as we adapt back to in-person interaction.
Work from home
How to Keep Working From Home Post-COVID
If you would prefer to continue to work from home post-pandemic, Elizabeth Alterman for The Muse has ideas of how to approach working from home long term. She stresses tracking your productivity and writing out all your working from home accomplishments. Alterman also suggests taking into account the office culture and industry. What changes will be coming about now that the pandemic has ended? Perhaps try a working from home trial period or a part time virtual schedule.
Innovating the office
Reimagining the office and work life after COVID-19
Covid-19 has completely changed daily life, including the workforce. Innovation and changes are around each corner. McKinsey research reports that over 80% of Americans enjoy working from home and have been surprised by the technological advancements that have come about during the pandemic. McKinsey research also came up with four steps to innovate the workplace due to the pandemic. The research suggests that each office should have different work forms, such as in-person, hybrid, and fully online. Each form has their own strengths and should work together to create a hybrid office that is more equipped for the post-pandemic world. The research also stresses finding creative ways to innovate the workplace post-pandemic and reorganizing to continue changing office culture.
The long term effects of Covid-19 on professional life
5 Effects Of The Pandemic You’re Only Just Now Feeling At Work
While the pandemic may be coming to a close, professionals are still feeling the aftermath of pandemic work. It has been over a year and many are hitting a breaking point. For some, that may be a mental health response such as anxiety or a loss of motivation. For others, that may be a desire to change careers or a completely new outlook on their careers and work life. Even though we are in a safer and healthier place, professional life is still catching up and business will be feeling the effects of the pandemic for years to come.
For more resources about adjusting to work post-pandemic, the Frederick Chamber of Commerce is here to help. Check out our other articles about post-pandemic work or reach out for more help.
Elena Johnston is a communications intern for the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. She is a Sophomore at Loyola University Maryland, pursuing a BA in Global Studies and Communications with specializations in PR and Journalism. Elena is the editor-in-chief of Her Campus LUM and serves as a university writing center tutor. She was recently selected as a Stanford University Innovation Fellow. As a Frederick native, Elena is excited to be a part of the chamber team and Frederick business community.
Frederick Chamber Insights is a news outlet of the Frederick County Chamber of Commerce. For more information about membership, programs and initiatives, please visit our website.