The sandbox is now a hybrid of virtual and on location workplaces.  The only consistent thing is change, and the stress of it all has made 73% of respondents to our workplace conflict survey indicate ‘high stress’ as the biggest challenge since the pandemic hit. 

Have these circumstances increased or decreased since COVID-19? 

So far, 358 people have responded to the survey of which stress, feeling alone or isolated, and time management / work-life balance are the most significant changes that people are dealing with today. 

Take our Survey and get a chance to win an iPad

When leading yourself or others through crisis ask, acknowledge and empathize with how people are thinking and feeling about the circumstances.  The first step is listening to understand, then acknowledge what’s been said, and what’s been lost.  

Empathy is critical right now, compassion is a must.  To support people best, we need to be humble, curious, and ask questions.  

Under every colleague that you’re working with, or client that you’re serving, is a mass of humanness that is uncertain about the current state of affairs.  Underneath all the busyness that was, we are left alone with our thoughts and insecurities often.  We don’t always know how we’re doing, or we may think we know today, only to think and feel different tomorrow. 

In the speaking and listening that we’re doing with curiosity, we will learn a lot about others, and about ourselves.  Harvard Business Review’s article on empathy and curiosity is a beautiful recognition of the struggle and the support that humans are connecting with during these times. 

I’m curious to know how you’re doing.  Let me know please.  You matter to me,