Workforce Changes and Navigating Differences
While many people wait for things to get back to normal some are already preparing for a different tomorrow. What is your forecast for workforce changes?
Things are going to be different. At least for a long time. Likely things will be different until you’ve adapted to the new normal. What will be normal?
Normal State
People are talking about the handshake, increased real estate needs, decreased real estate needs, and the most popular phrase, “social distancing.”
There are aspects of many occupations that are hard to visualize for the six feet rule. In many manufacturing environments, restaurants (kitchens), and many of the construction trades. Anywhere people are helping people physically get the job done.
While there are hundreds or perhaps thousands of occupations that once held normal as working close together, things will likely change.
In what is believed to be the interim for many white-collar occupations, people are working from home.
Don’t be shocked that many businesses who are currently adopting this new way of working will continue with it after the pandemic. Office spaces will change, business meetings will change, and conferences and conventions will most likely change.
We can imagine the sporting events, where everyone is sandwiched together like sardines in a can. What will they look like? Thousands of masked of faces? Stadiums or performance centers only one-third full because of the rules?
Workforce Changes
There is a simple truth for navigating the new workforce. Everyone who participated during or before 2019, is in for a change. The truth is, there will be a new normal.
Like nearly everything in life, there will be front runners, ground breakers, and leaders. There will also be followers, doubters, and those who fail to get on board.
Perhaps the most important aspect of what is happening now is to figure out how you’ll overcome the adversity and spring into action. Will you commit to change and be part of the construction of the new normal?
Somethings will never be the same.
Normal is always the current state of what works.
-DEG
Dennis E. Gilbert is a business consultant, speaker (CSPTM), and culture expert. He is a five-time author and the founder of Appreciative Strategies, LLC. His business focuses on positive human performance improvement solutions through Appreciative Strategies®. Reach him through his website at Dennis-Gilbert.com or by calling +1 646.546.5553.
