Top 5 Skills to Adapt and Shine at Work During Uncertain and Rapidly Changing Times
It’s post-pandemic, and I don’t know about you, but these past few years at work (and home) have been an evolution unlike any I’ve seen before!
In all this chaos, it’s time to talk about the top 5 skills for work during uncertain times. These skills are among the best ways to handle change in the work place, particularly during a time of rapid change and a public crisis-mindset.
The Impact of Crisis in the Workplace
The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic took hold of the entire world and affected everything in our daily lives from work schedules, to daycare and school, to the way we shop for everything! (Remember the great toilet paper debacle of 2020? We’ll laugh about that one day…maybe.)
Now we’re adapting, evolving, and looking ahead to the future and all the ways our professional and personal lives look completely different than they did just a few years ago.
Change Provides an Opportunity to Stand Out at Work
I honestly believe that it’s times like these that people show their true selves. They show their character and skills, their loyalty and commitment, their resilience and professionalism.
Be a star, because now is your time to show how YOU are a leader on your team dealing with change at work in rapidly evolving, challenging times.
Below are the top 5 skills you need for work during uncertain times.
With these skills, you will undoubtedly stand out as a compassionate, resilient, and loyal leader.
Top 5 Skills for Work During Uncertain Times
1. ADAPTABILITY: Adaptability is crucial as an employee. People who raise their hands and say, “Yes! I can take care of that for you,” regardless of how far out of their normal scope of work it is, will be long-remembered as valuable team-players. Adapt to new tasks thrown your way, last-minute schedule changes, or alternative modes of communication. Your bosses, your employees, your clients, and your organizations are dealing with what may seem like insurmountable obstacles. Don’t be another obstacle in their way.
2. PRIORITIZATION: Figure out what is mission critical and what can wait. Focus on the things that must be done during this time, and then offer your help to others who may be over-burdened with mission-critical tasks. Particularly during a pandemic where people and/or their loved ones may be sick or out of childcare, you are bound to be short-staffed all around. Know how to professionally say “no” or “not now,” postpone or cancel meetings and events in order to ensure the completion of basic business operations.
3. PATIENCE: Be patient with others, particularly your leadership. Know that most people are good and have the best of intentions for you and your organization. Times of panic naturally leads to poor communication as teams try to come together to make unprecedented decisions and consequences and questions evolve on a day-to-day, if not minute-by-minute basis. Be patient and always speak kindly of others, even in your frustration. Learn lessons by watching others and know that someone else is likely returning that patience to you as well.
4. PROMPT TRANSPARENT COMMUNICATION: Communicate soon and often! Soon and often! Don’t wait until you’re behind the ball to let people know what you’re planning and doing. And most importantly, if you have NO CLUE what you’re doing, communicate soon and often! Let people know you care and that you are moving forward with a plan, or that project, or this assignment. Be transparent and compassionate. People will appreciate your candor and professionalism much more than being kept in the dark with their fears.
5. EMPATHY & KINDNESS: People are freaked out, and for some of them, a pandemic like COVID-19 threatens the lives of people they love very dearly. Employees are worried about getting sick, not getting paid, being laid off, companies going out of business, not having child care…the list goes on and on. Listen and no matter how ridiculous the fears may seem to you, they are very real to those expressing them. Show respect, compassion, and kindness. Your reaction will not be forgotten by those you interact with. That is the mark of a true servant-hearted leader. People are people first.
We may be in the middle of responding to COVID-19 today, but next year it will be something else, and then again in 10 years it will be something else entirely.
The ability to show these 5 skills to adapt to change in the workplace: Adaptability, Prioritization, Patience, Prompt Transparent Communication, and Empathy and Kindness, is one that very few people have.
It takes practice and a conscious decision on how you’re going to show up to work and support those around you.
CHOOSE SUPPORT.
CHOOSE PATIENCE.
CHOOSE KINDNESS.
CHOOSE STRENGTH.
You will come out on the right side of the battle every time.
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6 Comments
Sarah
Empathy and patience are super super important. A lot of employers are laying off staff, people are hungry here. It’s absolutely ridiculous but together, we can beat Covid 19
Caitlin
Absolutely Sarah! The way we treat people with empathy and patience will have a long term impact.
Christa
Great post! I totally agree with this. I’m practicing this especially patience and adaptability.
– Christa | http://www.thelewicreative.com
Caitlin
Thanks for reading, Christa!
Pamela
Great tips every one should try out to shine in their work fields.
Caitlin
Thanks Pamela! Hope this was helpful 🙂