As a director of my own home and workspace, I need a well-run environment and appreciate how the variety of household appliances make this possible.
My reasonably tidy fortitude having lapsed somewhat during lockdown, I now had a compulsion to ‘get on it’ and get the home back once more to its pre lockdown pristineness and efficiency. I needed my technical staff!!
I darted hitherto from one room to another. Fire up Nikki first thought I, (Nikki Neato – the automatic vacuum cleaner – everything has a name in our household). While Nikki vacuums, I can be busy elsewhere, tidying, polishing, getting the office back to some semblance of order ahead of the new working week.
Nikki didn’t want to fire up, ‘Battery not charging’ he told me. Time to bring in the backup, a different somewhat cheaper automatic vacuum named Ana Anew, Anew being the maker’s name, you get the drift of how we name things now.
Now, Nikki when working properly is very methodical. He has a very clever system that scans the room, covers everywhere in a precise manner, and comes with a flexible metal strip that we put alongside the fireplace so that he doesn’t mount it and get stuck. He senses obstacles and doesn’t bump on to them. Once finished, he returns to his charging station so as to be ready for the time he is called upon to do this precision work. He can also be set to spot clean and be put on a timer. The work can be done even when I’m not there. A great piece of kit, very comprehensive.
Ana on the other hand is rather scatty. You push ‘start’, off she goes and careers into everything. No method, no scanning, no thoughtful process, and yet, the carpet is still cleaned. Easy to use, quick to charge, takes ages to run out of this charge. She is bright, eager, and ready to serve. Less finesse than Nikki, but a valuable addition to the household ‘staff’.
In our businesses, our families, our friendships, we all have different personalities. When we take the time to appreciate the differences, the nuances that we all bring, the experiences we have had, we have an opportunity to weave a rich tapestry or in my case vacuum it! Appreciating the mix of skill set your workforce has is essential and often missed by managers.
Lockdown has also meant that many people have discovered new talents and skills. They have spent time learning new hobbies, become more educated. As your employees return to work, get to know them better than before. Take note of their talents, their differences. What do they know and can do now that they couldn’t before? How can you help them develop even further and how will that help you?
As Aristotle said, “The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.” What ‘Parts’ (people) are returning to your business? How are they different now? How can you collectively move forward post Lockdown?
Utilising people’s strengths, experience, and skills is often overlooked. As your workforce returns, find out what it is they are bringing with them. What’s new for them? What do they want from their role now? What do they need to share with you?
While Nikki clearly needs some support to get him back to his former efficient self, Ana can hold the fort. When both are in action, one can be based upstairs and one can be based downstairs. They are both parts of an essential team and both have their place..
Post lockdown skills and experience can be invaluable to you and your company. For your employee, being able to use their skills and having their personalities championed can be empowering and motivating. Post lockdown win/win!
