As businesses around the world begin to recover from the effects of COVID-19, what's on everyone's mind is what a post-pandemic workplace looks like, so here are 10 key competencies in new normal.
The massive movement of return to the office it has already begun and many countries are beginning to feel the positive impact of vaccines and falling infection rates.
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COVID-19 has truly changed the way businesses and employees interact, bringing remote work concepts to the forefront and unlocking new opportunities in technology, collaboration, and work management across industries.
But while many of us have grown accustomed to working from home, some studies show that the majority of people are eager to return to the office and only 1 in 5 would like to work from home full time.
And since everything has changed, the soft skills necessary for the new normality will change after the pandemic, in this blog we will tell you the 10 key competencies in the new normality that your employees will need to have:
Now that we know how essential soft skills are going to be to get back to work, you may be wondering which are the most important ones for my team to have? We have gathered 10 key competencies in the new normal:
– Adaptability and resilience as one of the key competencies in the new normality
Although the year 2020 has been immeasurably difficult for many workers, it has highlighted the importance of resilience and adaptability.
Workplace processes change rapidly and as a manager it is important to set an example of flexibility and a willingness to readjust. A study published by ScienceDirect showed that highly adaptable employees are much more likely to stay with their organizations.
- Efficient communication
The 70% of business mistakes are due to poor communication, with more ways than ever to stay connected with your team members, there is no excuse for poor communication.
Practice active listening, whether your team members are across the room or thousands of miles away. Really listen to their concerns and make sure they are aware of your care.
Likewise, make sure your communication style is as clear and personable as possible. Your employees should not doubt what you need from them and it is the best way to work together.
– Conflict resolution as one of the key competencies in the new normality
Conflicts between employees are inevitable, especially with so much uncertainty right now. As a manager, understand that each team member has a different set of personal goals and needs.
Your job is mediate discussions and find a compromise that satisfies everyone so productivity can continue.
- Collaboration
You may have assembled the most experienced team and productive, but that doesn't mean anything if you can't collaborate effectively with each other.
Make sure your team is equipped with a collaborative-focused work management system, where projects can be edited and managed in real time, with input from everyone involved.
– Motivation for growth as one of the key skills in the new normality
All employees have ambition, but it can easily be stifled when they feel their bosses aren't interested in helping them achieve their goals.
As you lead your team, be sure to periodically review each person's career goals. How can you help them go further? Even when their goals cannot be achieved in your organization. Having a boss who genuinely cares about their development is something that will always be with them.
- Strategic planning
No company can succeed without a clear plan for success, and this applies to teams as well. As a manager, regularly meet with your team to assess workloads and the high-level details of your project's progress.
Always ask yourself and your team if what you are doing is directly related to the overall goal and mission of the team. If not, don't be afraid to go back and reevaluate how to move forward. These are the fundamental soft skills that managers must consider.
– Emotional intelligence and empathy as one of the key skills in the new normality
The importance of paying attention to the mental well-being of your team members cannot be underestimated, and all you need to do to get started is listen.
Pay attention to the way your team members approach their daily work and be aware of how you relate to them, make it a daily habit to check the mood of your team members, and encourage them to come to you when feel overwhelmed or need a break to recharge.
An employee who is rested, clear-headed, and supported is much more likely to do their best work than one who is burned out and alone in their problems.
- Time management
Time management is one of those soft skills that is very difficult to master, but the truth is that there is no secret to effective time management: you have to find a method that works for you.
Whether you're using a time-tracking app, a stopwatch, or the Pomodoro technique, it's about finding a structure for your day that works and encouraging your team members to follow their own method.
– Innovation and creativity as one of the key skills in the new normality
During the pandemic, teams around the world have had to get creative with limited resources and have achieved amazing results, and now that we're back in the office, it's important not to let that innovative spirit fade.
Encourage your team to share their ideas, however crazy they may seem, brainstorm together and create an environment that encourages active feedback and the launch of new ideas, you never know where the next great idea will come from .
– Active learning
As a team leader in the 21st century, it's vital that you are constantly honing your craft and learning more about your job. No great company ever came into existence believing that they knew everything.
Encourage your team to schedule learning sessions into their week and regularly check in on their progress. Talk to your HR department about funding educational programs or guest speakers, and take your team to the next level.