Learnings In A Year Post-Lockdown- Syed Sajjadh Ali, Eaton
There's no denying that pandemic has taken a toll on all of us, emotionally, financially, and socially, but we learned plenty of lessons that helped us strengthen our working practices, behaviours, and personal well-being for the future. The Covid-19 lockdown altered our perspective of the world; it was a once-in-a-lifetime global phenomenon that forced us to put our lives on hold and remain in our homes. For others, it was the first time they had spent time with their families since they had graduated from high school. It made us more conscious of our surroundings and thankful for what we had. As we return to normalcy, it's worth revisiting some of the lessons I learned during lockdown and post lockdown.
1. Compassion And Empathy:
There have been positive anecdotes of the human spirit and humanity’s love for itself during the lockdown. People were always kind; however, the pandemic has given us a space to reflect and be compassionate.
Initially, during the lockdown, there were instances where employees felt overwhelmed with additional duties and a new working style. To prove themselves, they started overburdening, affecting their mental and physical health. As a leader, it became essential to convey that it is fine to cut yourself slack and practice compassion. The best way to do this is to control your actions, be empathetic, and listen to others.
2. Open-mindedness To New Learnings:
The lockdown was definitely not for your mind, in fact, it allowed adapting and adopting new skills. We became flexible and allowed others to express, which was the first step of being open-minded. Because of this, we were able to innovate, recreate and elevate our traditional approaches. This helped us to be more self-aware and trustworthy. However, mutual understanding and trust take time and you have to be patient. Attempting to force or rush the process can backfire and derail your progress.
3. Collaboration And Consistency In Communication:
When the lockdown was announced, we thought we could continue delivering earlier, without interruption, thanks to the technology. However, specific challenges began to emerge as days went by. People started feeling lost as all communication was transactional. This highlighted the very fact that man is a social animal and is in constant need to communicate or connect. It took time, dedication and discipline to collaborate not just for work but on a personal level. The key here was communicating clearly, warmly, and emotionally to ensure everyone was on the same page.
4. It Is Okay To Make Mistakes:
When we make mistakes, it is normal to feel embarrassed, frustrated or angry. We generally try to avoid mistakes as they seem to be negative. In these unprecedented times, everyone was confused and trying their best to deal with the situation. Many failed, but it taught some valuable lessons. It is necessary to embrace our mistakes and seek the opportunities they provide. Remember that mistakes are part and parcel of life. Making one relates to the course of action we decided to take and does not define who we are. It can strengthen your determination to accomplish your targets.
The author is Syed Sajjadh Ali, Managing Director - India, Electrical Sector, Eaton
