The common belief is that employees will not want to return to the office post-pandemic. However, many employees are looking forward to going back to work, just not for the old way and the old reason. Employees may not want the same intensive interaction with others as before COVID, but still desire professional connection. Physical offices will play a critical role in the hybrid workplaces of the future. Here are four ideas to consider as we transition back to the office.
A recent Forbes study found that nearly 60% of leaders felt used up at the end of the workday, a strong indicator of burnout. Leaders are as likely to experience frequent burnout as other employees. However, they have an opportunity to lead by example to combat this workplace challenge. Knowing that multiple people on your team are stressed can be a burden, especially when there are no easy options to eliminate that stress. Here is a quick reminder of three best practices that may help you avoid burnout.
1. Focus on Recruitment Rather Than Filling In
When an employee leaves a company, it may be tempting to put a lot of effort into making sure their function is fulfilled. The remaining team members often pick up additional responsibilities and balance a new workload. Instead of trying to fill in the gaps, you should put more of your efforts into hiring a quality candidate quickly so that you and your team can get back to your regular responsibilities. Leaders should not delay hiring for new positions. Focusing on recruitment will help everyone in the long run.
2. Delegate Tasks Where Appropriate
As a leader, you may be afraid of overburdening others. However, you cannot take on every task. Delegating to your team is a telltale sign of a good leader. When leaders are intentional and assign appropriate items, they can build trust and assist in employee professional development. Delegating allows your employees opportunities that they may not have had before. Simultaneously, leaders can successfully redistribute the workload amongst their teams.
3. Take Care of Your Mental Health
A leader must take care of their mental health and lead by example for other team members. One way to help support your mental health is to take time away from your responsibilities and work-related stress. This means utilizing allocated vacation and mental health days. Many leaders have also found success mastering the skill of mindfulness and taking breaks to allow themselves time to regenerate.
Leaders must lead by example. Mental health struggles impact every level of an organization. Leaders who practice healthy work habits may help influence team members to seek help and utilize resources when needed.
You can learn more about burnout in our Thought Leadership article discussing how to avoid burnout by building resilient talent.
