What the Pandemic Has Taught Us About the Modern Workplace (so far)

It's not bold to say the pandemic changed the way companies run. But these changes will persist well beyond the years to come. We have entered a new age of how workplaces grow and how professionals interact. Our ability to understand, prioritize, and optimize these trends will define the continued growth of the workplace for better or worse. So, what has the pandemic taught us about the modern workplace in the years to come?

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Workplaces need agility over precision

According to the Pew Center, 73% of American adults consider themselves “lifelong learners” in their personal and professional lives. Of those, 63 percent do so to improve their skills or expertise for career advancement.

The ongoing barrage of historical events over the past 24 months has taught us to expect the unexpected. Therefore, workplaces must prioritize agility above all else. The world moves fast, and it doesn’t wait for people and workplaces to catch up. Agility is non-negotiable for the modern workplace. But what constitutes true business agility?

There are logistical and structural factors that impact workplace agility. However, their importance lies with how these structures and strategies impact and empower people. Is your workplace recruiting and developing adaptable employees? Are leaders empowered to galvanize their teams while also creating a space for dialogue and innovation necessary in an ‘all-hands-on-deck’ situation?

These are just broad examples, but they emphasize the nuance and complexity that goes into developing agile workplaces. We must understand learning development in a holistic way that promotes workforce agility.

A deliberate re-investment in communication is the lifeline of the modern workplace

The pandemic did multiple things:

1) It instilled a great sense of fear and emotional trauma among employees.

2) It disconnected people in a sudden unprecedented ways.

For both reasons, a more deliberate focus on communication channels and tactics became vital to the survival of the workplace. The unprecedented fear and uncertainty of the early pandemic forced leaders to step up and re-evaluate how they communicate. Companies were forced to be more open and transparent than ever. We also had to embrace technology to help us communicate. Additionally, we needed to deliberately change the way we communicated in the workplace with one another.

Good leaders kept their workplaces afloat through the pandemic via transparent and consistent communication. They help maintain as direct a connection as possible between senior leadership and employees at all levels to ensure a coherent understanding of the mission, initiatives, and performance expectations. This will only become more important in the years to follow.

Collaboration is vital for company and employee growth. Our ability to break down communication barriers between people will dictate how workplaces and professionals grow. Employees will benefit from company transparency and connection to their colleagues despite lacking physical proximity to one another.

Soft skills hold the key to productivity and wellness

Helping professionals focus on soft skills development is vital. Soft skills catalyze one’s ability to be agile and resilient in ever-changing workplace demands. They empower employees to harness teamwork and collaboration to their fullest potential. As a result, things like inclusivity also thrive. The development of individual confidence, as well as belonging, is a powerful combination. It will promote both productivity and well-being.

So, what do you think? As workplaces continue to progress through uncharted seas, which soft skills are most vital to employee and team success?

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