It’s no secret that there has been an increase in crankiness over the past two years.
Some to the extreme, as in the case of abusive airline passengers and others who have acted out in response to mask mandates and other perceived restrictions resulting from the pandemic.
And some more general, as work-from-home and limited gathering has put our social skills on hold.
Now, as more companies call their employees back to the office – at least for a couple of days a week – it’s time to give those social skills a reboot.
Here are some tips.
Think positive. Yes, it’s easy to grumble about the commute, having to wear pants and other “inconveniences” of going back to the office. And yet you can make it easier for everyone by focusing on the positive: Connecting with your team without technology glitches and Zoom fatigue, and having a clear separation between home and work. Seriously, when your home is your office does the workday ever end?
Be tolerant. It will take a little time to adjust and get back into the rhythm. For you, for your leader, and for your teammates. Eat the elephant one bit at a time.
Exercise your social skills. It seems funny to say, but this might be a good time to reflect on the socio-emotional skills you learned in kindergarten. As Robert Fulghum said in his book, All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten, “Wisdom was not at the top of the graduate school mountain, but there in the sand pile at school.” Play fair. Clean up your own mess. Wash your hands. Put things back where you found them. Say “please” and “thank you.” And say you’re sorry when you hurt somebody. Treat others the way you want to be treated.
Be kind. It’s been a rough couple of years for everyone. And the pandemic is just a part of it. It would be easy just to curl up under the covers until the world gets better. And yet, I’ve never been one to just wait around for things to change. I think we each have a responsibility to make the change we want to see in the world – even if we can only make it one small step at a time.
As you put on your pants, start up the car and head toward the office, ask yourself, “How can I be kinder today?” Then commit to looking for opportunities to show someone you care.
Keep it real and keep it kind.
“In a world where you can be anything, be kind.” – Unknown
Till next time,
Karen
