How to Lead in your New Normal

Cathie Leimbach • July 19, 2021

Covid-19 created unprecedented disruption in every area of life. Businesses had to scramble to enable their employees to work remotely. Your employees were suddenly juggling work and family responsibilities while working from the kitchen table. 

 

Navigating the chaos and uncertainty created opportunities to become more effective leaders.  Managing remote workers required new skills in communication. Supporting employees during this challenging time required empathy. The way work is viewed fundamentally changed. As we emerge from our homes and go back to our offices, employees are requesting to work remotely at least part of the time. Many employers are now planning to have a hybrid model, including remote work options.

 

We aren't magically returning to "the way it was." The new normal looks a lot different.  Your employees are your most important asset. Keeping them motivated, engaged, and productive requires specific leadership skills.

 

Listen. Each of your employees will have their unique reaction to emerging from their homes and returning to work. Use open-ended questions to understand how they are feeling and reacting to the "new normal."

 

Watch for behavioral changes. Many of your employees are dealing with internal stress. Covid-19 was a traumatic event for everyone. Some people will be more deeply impacted than others. If your employee is chronically late, missing deadlines, short-tempered, or impatient, it could be a sign that they are having difficulties with the transition. Follow up on your observations, explain how it impacts the team, and help them make better choices.

 

Go back to your why. Every company exists for reasons beyond profit.  Ensuring that your employees understand what your company stands for and why their role is essential will help with engagement and performance.

 

Keep communication flowing. Ironically, communication in many organizations improved because the teams were working remotely. They learned how to communicate consistently and effectively, experiencing a positive outcome from the disruption. Continue to build good communication into your team's culture and provide staff development opportunities to enhance the skill sets.

 

Build on opportunities.  During the pandemic, certain workplace behaviors arose. Compromise, efficiency, creativity, and compassion became more prevalent among teams. There was a solidarity that came from meeting a shared crisis. These behaviors don't need to go away. They elevate your workplace culture and your company's bottom line. A successful return to work plan needs to include ways to support and integrate these behaviors in the culture going forward.

 

The "new normal" is different than normal before the pandemic. Organizations had to learn how to react quickly to changing circumstances. Teams had to learn to work together in new ways. Managers were required to figure out how to lead differently. Out of the chaos and disruption came opportunities to strengthen culture, develop skills, and build trust that the work would get done, even if people worked remotely. Continuing to build on those learnings will help to keep your employees engaged and productive. And, your organization will be better prepared to act nimbly when facing any business challenge.

The Power of Reflective Listening at Work

By Cathie Leimbach • April 22, 2025
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.

The Self-Discipline of a Growth Mindset

By Cathie Leimbach • April 15, 2025
A growth mindset means believing you can get smarter and develop new skills through hard work and practice. People with a growth mindset see challenges as opportunities to grow. On the other hand, a fixed mindset means thinking your talents and abilities cannot change much, no matter how hard you try. People with a growth mindset are more likely to exercise self-discipline to learn new behaviors. This helps us adapt to new opportunities. When we push ourselves to try different approaches, we open doors that would otherwise remain closed. This takes courage and commitment, especially at first when new ways of doing things feel uncomfortable or difficult. Our brains have amazing potential to change throughout our lives. When we repeatedly practice new skills or ways of thinking, our brain creates new pathways that make these actions easier over time. What once felt impossible can gradually become second nature.  The hard part is sticking with new behaviors long enough for them to become normal. This is where self-discipline comes in . By consistently practicing different approaches, what once required enormous effort eventually feels natural. This ability to adapt keeps us growing, helps us keep up with our changing world, and unlocks possibilities we might never have imagined.
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