Dear Yogesh,

Before the pandemic struck and when people were confined to their homes for work and everything else, I led a highly efficient team of twelve people. We met at the office and brainstormed ideas, discussed our goals, and pre-planned events for the benefit of our company. There were three new hires right before the lockdown was declared. In this situation, my team and I made sure to adapt to the new normal in the best way possible and include the new hires as well. The work was soon up and running, and we made the best use of technology to ensure more collaboration in the work-from-home model.

On the other side, each of us had different and challenging situations to cater to. One of the employees was a single mother of 3 children, one had to take care of her aging parents. Two of them were freshers who had to move back to their hometowns and had low internet connectivity in their areas. Another person was going through a tough phase as her father passed away due to covid. I encouraged her to take a short break from work as this would lead to more damage to her mental health.

It was a challenging time for us all, and we had different problems of varying difficulty levels to deal with now and then. But the best part is that we somehow managed to keep up the pace and get through these problems without compromising on the output.

Now, as normalcy is beginning to restore, our organization is planning to start work from the office again. Although I was excited to see everybody again and bring the same zeal to the office as they used to before the pandemic, it turns out that my team is not enthusiastic about it at all. 3 people complain about the next covid-19 wave and refuse to come until the new variant is settled. Mothers are demanding an extended work-from-home as they have to make arrangements for their children who study from home now. And the rest are not willing to join back before everybody else agrees.

This topsy-turvy situation has got the best of me. However, with different opinions from my team members on working from home, I don’t understand how to manage everybody’s needs and maintain a balance at the same time. I want to stay calm and reasonable, yet, I am finding it very difficult to control my anger and disappointment. Maybe it’s the prolonged work from home that is taking a toll on my mental peace and strength.

Kindly suggest.

Regards
Rahul

Dear Rahul,

It seems like you have been working round the clock, and it is time for you to take a break. So, I would start by asking you, have you planned on taking some time off from your daily ordeals and maybe going on a vacation? I think taking a break from your daily schedule and the everyday drama would help you get back to your normal understanding of yourself and make you more tranquil.

If you think you might say or do something that cannot be undone, it is time to step back for a little while. Like a work-oriented manager, you think taking a vacation is running away from your responsibilities but trust me, it is rather regaining your true strength to face those responsibilities. Also, I would like to ask, are you taking good care of yourself? In these trying times, we all need our daily dose of therapy, which can be in the form of meditation or exercise.

I would also like to ask if you are getting any support or direction from your manager. It seems like you are on your dealing with a tough situation like this. So, if your manager has been unsupportive or has bailed out on you, it is time to seek help and direction from elsewhere in the company. Reach out to your friends from other departments and discuss your problem to get different suggestions.

The main aim should be to work on your mental health and well-being first before you move on to take care of others.

Now, addressing the big question, I would first like to draw your attention to the fact that why are people feeling low and exhausted? For starters, we all know it is a long way till everything comes back to normal, and people are just tired of worrying about it all the time. There are different news and reports regarding new viruses every day, and it is hard to trust any particular source. I know you are tired, but so is everyone else.

As people are out of the happy-go-lucky attitude about cheering one another, this is the time when they can use some genuine sympathy and concern.

It looks like you need a new and upgraded work design to go forward while working from home. If you stick to the old methods, it is not going to work as the current scenario calls for a change in pattern. Also, deciding on behalf of others what can be good for them can be harmful to maintaining a productive work culture. You have to work as a leader and not as a boss. The first step is to ask for feedback and ideas on an individual level and then go brainstorm new ways as a team.

You might get a mix of opinions on working from the office. While some might be the ones who would like to come once or twice a week, others may want to stick to working from home itself. You need to create a schedule that is better than the pre-pandemic and more efficient than the schedule you had while working during the pandemic. People will respond to you better if they feel they are heard. Take every person’s opinion into account and work accordingly.

It has not been easy for you Rahul, and the difficulty level might increase in the future. Go for a vacation, exercise and meditate, and keep yourself first. Then work with your team to get the best solution possible. You will be surprised to see how things fall into place when you have a peaceful mind with a cooperating team.

Best of Luck

Yogesh

 

The above is inspired by a blog written by Madeleine Homan Blanchard on July 03rd, 2021 - https://resources.kenblanchard.com/blanchard-leaderchat/return-to-the-office-making-you-crazy-ask-madeleine