We all know that change is hard, including good or beneficial change. Our current Return-to-Office (RTO) debate epitomizes how challenging change can be when there is no road map to follow. Hindsight reveals that all the rules of the road that were in place for decades were actually cultural norms that fit a moment in our history that no longer exists. For example, workplaces designed for a traditional nuclear family, with dad at the office and mom taking care of the kids, no longer serves our current reality. Waking up to this realization is exciting for many workers, scary or threatening for others, and messy for everyone.
As leaders, we have our work cut out for us. At Capacity Group, we work closely with leaders on the RTO topic, which puts us in a unique position to offer some related thoughts, questions, and words of advice:
- Own your part of the mess. Be honest about your own biases and preferences. You may be someone who longs for the “old days” where everyone worked together in an office. Or you may relish the flexibility of working at home and think that should be the norm. Whatever your point of view, acknowledge to yourself and your team how you experience this personally, and make those assumptions explicit. Aim to remember and recognize that while your views, preferences, and experiences are valid, so are those of your team members.
- Reframe “us-versus-them” thinking. True dialogue on this topic (or any other) will only happen if you lay a foundation for mutual respect and trust. Too often, we rely on generational or gender stereotypes to put people on one side or the other. Your job as a leader is to reframe this conversation as an opportunity for mutual benefit. Ask, “What is the best solution for us collectively, as a team?”
- Play with the possibilities. Although change can be stressful, reimagining how we work together is an incredible opportunity. How can you encourage your team to embrace this with curiosity and wonder rather than fear and trepidation? The first step is to model this attitude Demonstrate that you are excited and open to the future and what you might learn together.
- Let go of finding one right answer. We can often feel anxious about just getting to the solution. We want the comfort and security that an answer provides. The marketplace has shown that companies are adjusting, adapting, and changing all the time, while learning what works and doesn’t work as they go. As a leader, you can reassure yourself and others that this will be an evolving process. The best tool you can offer is your own presence as an open and trusting leader who isn’t afraid to embrace the mess.
If you’d like to talk more about leading your team through the challenges and opportunities related to the RTO topic, feel free to contact us.