SURVIVING

Surviving

We are still sheltering at home, wearing masks and wondering how we are going to be able to work when our children are at home – and we need to care for them.

This is an unusual time in all our lives – especially if, like me, you live in California or another state that has restaurants, beauty parlors, etc., closed for now.

I just returned from spending a week in Texas.  There, except for everyone wearing masks in public, it appears that many businesses are almost – not quite – but almost doing business as usual.

Restaurants, for example are open.  During the week I was there we went out to lunch at a different restaurant  every day and out to dinner at a different restaurant every evening – some “white tablecloth” restaurants. 

We were required to wear masks entering and exiting the restaurant – and all wait staff were wearing masks.  They seated every other table to keep some distance from one group to another – but other than that it seemed very normal.

Not only did we eat out – but my friend and I indulged one afternoon in “girlie” stuff – going to a day spa and getting facials and manicures and pedicures.  She even got her hair done and had makeup applied.  Can’t do that here in California.

Silicon Valley is being very cautious – and I think that’s the right thing even though it is inconvenient.  We have a fairly dense population of people from all over the world, many of whom travel back and forth from other countries.  We are more vulnerable and more likely to make contact with someone that has the virus.

Which reminds me:  American Airlines filled every seat – including the middle seats.  That really bothered me.  No distancing at all.  BUT, we were required to wear masks.

What about the workplace?

Some of us, like me have been working from home thanks to the computer and Zoom and other similar programs.  BUT, I’ve lost all my face-to-face business because very few people really want to deal with conflict, communication, change and cultural issues on line. 

All that I have been doing on-line is:

·       interviewing people in preparation for board of directors training and strategic planning retreats – which are being conducted via zoom

·       Creating an annual on-line meeting with entertainment for the annual meeting of one of the boards on which I serve.

·       Creating and conducting on demand courses and webinars

·       Coaching some individuals

·       Contributing to conversations/discussions on meetups.

Technology is allowing me – and everyone else – to communicate with others and feel less isolated.  BUT – it will never substitute for real face-to-face contact.

I miss being able to bring groups of people together to help them communicate with each other and resolve workplace-related conflict.

I miss being able to help groups of people learn new ways of interacting, of planning, of being creative/innovative by the use of some non-verbal techniques.

I miss not going away to wonderful places to conduct corporate retreats.

Most of all:  I miss being WITH people – live.

What about you?

Are you learning new ways of working?  Are you at home trying to figure out the best way to communicate with your peers, team mates, staff etc.?

Are you trying to figure out how to parent your stay-at-home children while trying to get some work done?

Are you going to your place of business – but finding areas that are “off-limits” or no longer available?  Are you discovering the barriers between you and your fellow employees? 

What is your new-normal?

What are your challenges?

May I help you find new strategies – via zoom or email?   Just contact me.

ArLyne@DiamondAssociates.net