Just when a return to normality seemed within grasp, the Delta variant dumped cold water on our expectations, leaving many with feelings of anxiety and frustration. Here’s how you can help your team manage though this new phase of the pandemic.
Dealing With “Pandemic Whiplash”
Be Cautiously Optimistic
The best antidote against despondency is a healthy dose of optimism. Now, to someone experiencing pandemic whiplash, optimism may appear dangerously close to sugar-coating. So, make sure to keep your optimism cautious and grounded in reality. Remind your team that the pandemic will undoubtedly end at some point and that, at least when it comes to work, you are all together in this.
Stay Connected to Your Team
Isolation makes it harder to deal with difficult feelings such as anxiety and fatigue. Stay connected to all the members of your team, but without overwhelming them. Check in on them often and watch for signs of burnout, which may include:
- Chronic fatigue
- Insomnia
- Cynicism
- Detachment
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of appetite
- Anger
Be Flexible
Remember that a pandemic is not an ordinary situation, so some flexibility in regard to the usual way of doing things may be in order. Start a dialog with your team and identify small changes that may make a big difference in their mental well-being. Some ideas to consider include:
- Allowing your team extra time to take small breaks throughout the day.
- Making It a point to leave “buffer time” between video meetings so that employees can recharge.
- Setting firm boundaries about work hours.
More Tips and Ideas
From returning to the office after the pandemic to the right structure for your business and everything in between, these are some previous posts you can check out for more ideas on how to lead with confidence:
- How to use social media to grow your career
- 3 Tips to prevent and address employee burnout
- What is candidate ghosting and how to avoid it
- 4 Ways to Get Employee Input
At the Pomona Chamber of Commerce, our mission is to keep you up to date with the most relevant developments in business management and administration so you and your company can take advantage of new opportunities. Contact us by email (info@pomonachamber.org) telephone (909-622-1256), social media, or click on this link to join and start enjoying the benefits of membership today.
