It's time to reactivate your social muscles!
This is the eighth in a series of articles for consideration when thinking about your next next™. The content is based on the Springer-Alvarez talent development model for Employees and Employers.
As more and more companies are creating options for their workforce to move forward in 2022, we know that the hybrid workplace is here to stay for many companies. The good news is that most professionals will have more flexibility of when and where they work. The bad news is there is a new level of social complexity that will require you to adapt in a significant way, and your career may depend on it.
Building and nurturing strong relationships at work is a key factor in career success and using your social muscles will get you there. In a world where you may not be in the same city with your colleagues, you may need to master the art of virtual coffees or making a habit of starting the first five minutes of meetings inquiring about one’s weekend. In a hybrid setting, you will be expected to learn how to be engaging and inclusive on video while simultaneously being present with those in the room. If you are new in role, you will need to be very intentional in using your social muscles to build new relationships.
Figuring out what works best for you in your current work environment, whether it be onsite, remote or hybrid, will require some practice. According to research by Gartner, the U.S. will lead in terms of remote workers in 2022, accounting for 53% of the U.S. workforce. This realization has brought on a host of emotions and concerns for employees, managers and corporate leaders.
Regardless of what level in an organization one sits, it is clear that we will now need to reactivate our social muscles.
We are humans and being human is our strongest trait. We reason, we have emotion, we laugh, we feel joy and sorrow, but in a virtual world, our experience of these traits has been stilted. Exercising your social muscles is a mental and physical reengagement with others, not just those with whom we live but with others – strangers, co-workers, friends, acquaintances. The laughs, comradery and the physical touch of handshakes, pat on the back or hugs have been drastically reduced if not eliminated. Dr. Vivek Murthy, the newly reappointed US. Surgeon General, acknowledges that the pandemic has not only taken a physical and economic toll, but has led to “the social recession.”
You may soon be faced with questions such as, “How do we hug again and should we?”, “How long should I hold someone’s gaze if looking them in the eye?, or “How do I compliment someone?”
Give yourself permission to set small goals. We may need to reeducate ourselves as we figure out which norms have changed and which have stayed the same. It is expected that this process will create some anxiety. You are not alone. As we come out of isolation, not only you, but many more of us will be experiencing some sort of anxiety as we come back to the workplace and other social situations. It’s time to think about coping strategies that both you and your employees will need.
Some companies have tried to address this with mandatory social activities or new workplace design, however that is not going to help. Exercises to build emotional strength and resilience will help.
For example, the US military conducted a study showing that soldiers who engaged in social fitness exercises reduced loneliness and improved well-being. There are similar opportunities for businesses, but not in the way that you think.
First recognize that we are creatures of habit. Managers need to recognize that we have ingrained patterns of behaviors. Many behaviors developed while staying home and being alone will not be effective at work and social situations in the new year. It’s time to develop some new habits. Try practicing these:
Unplug – find time to connect with others, take a walk or dine with others
Do small favors
Seek out opportunities to work together
Choose to engage with people on different levels, lean into differences vs. commonality
Plan for conversation starters / opening lines
Say hello to strangers
Volunteer in your community
Dress for the office
In a hybrid world we will sometimes encounter face-to-face interactions while simultaneously managing virtual relationships. Some teams may be all in-person, while some may be all remote. Some individuals may continue to work remotely 100% of the time, while some may be 50/50. Some businesses are creating rotating schedules. Regardless of where and how you work, the future is going to require incredible adaptability and social agility to keep your sanity and to keep your career on track. So as you head to the gym to build your muscles, be sure to say hello to those you pass along the way!
Springer Alvarez is a team of executive coaches working with companies and professionals who are navigating the new world of work. Their work includes insights into current trends in talent management, leadership development and preparing for a future of work that is mutually beneficial to both employers and employees. ©Eileen Springer and Christine Alvarez January 2022