I never completed a marathon. But I have heard several people say that it is both a psychological and a physical challenge. This has led me to view quarantine as an exercise similar to long-distance street running. Each day is a kilometer traveled and we cannot lose concentration. That’s why I think it’s important to be surrounded by inspiration and do what has to be done, without losing sight of what is coming.
With a focus on the resumption – which will happen sooner or later – I suggest special attention to the people around you and contribute to the development of your company, your business, your area, or your career.
Never lose your proximity to the customer, regardless of the moment of the economy, the country, or your company and his. Here, I am not talking specifically about bonds of friendship, but about a relationship in which you demonstrate that you are a supplier interested in understanding the challenges faced and looking for ways to add value to the business. If your interest is genuine, when there is an opportunity, you or your company’s brand will surely be remembered.
Social detachment has brought challenges for professionals from all walks of the pyramid. When we talk specifically about leaders, many, overnight, had to give up micromanagement and deal with remote management. Get closer to yours and try to understand what assessment it makes of your performance in the last months, in which points it stood out, in which it needs to improve and what it expects from you in the coming months. In this chat, take the opportunity to present your considerations, needs, and perceptions. It is the leader’s duty to propose a feedback conversation. However, the employee who takes this initiative is always seen as someone interested in evolving.
One of the great advantages of face-to-face work is the exchange that exists between professionals. In this traditional environment, we always win by being able to complete reasoning or have an idea based on some comment from a colleague at the next table or ask for help from someone we think is more available. In order not to lose this proximity, resume or maintain contact with your work partners and show a willingness to help whenever possible.
Team building is very important. It has been a valuable moment for managers to assess the skills of a professional capable of overcoming difficult periods. Now that we are more used to the routine, it is time to calibrate this partnership. Then, it maps the level of satisfaction, performance, and stress of the professionals. Scale the workload. If someone is overwhelmed, consider redistributing tasks or hiring a project professional to absorb the extra demand for a set period. If you need to increase the team permanently, start to narrow the scope of the vacancy considering everything we have experienced in the last few months.
Some indicators begin to show that there are signs of an improvement in the economy, such as movement in cities and a certain interest by companies in recruiting again. All in a very cautious and timid way. However, on an increasing scale, if we compare week by week.
The heating will be slow, but gradual. And, we must take advantage of the current moment to capitalize on all the effort invested in the last few months. After all, the marathon is long, but each day we are closer to the end.