These last two years have impacted every one of your employees—each in different ways. Allen might have lost his mother to COVID-19, while Brenda balanced being a full-time worker, mother, and teacher to her three little girls. Sal spent the pandemic alone in his apartment, too afraid to leave the house, while Mary and her partner had to turn their dining room table into an office.
Everyone has to deal with hardships and drastic change, and as organizations race to meet the demands of this new era, change will continue.
Change management leadership must meet these shifts with empathy. You need authentic, transparent communication with everyone on your team. Understand what they’ve been dealing with, and ask how you can best address their needs so they can succeed.
Also, don’t hesitate to share your hardships. The pandemic has given us a unique opportunity to form stronger bonds through empathy and the recognition that we’ve all endured tough times. The more your employees feel seen, the more likely they are to appreciate you and be motivated to work well.