HAS VIRTUAL WORKING LEAD TO ALWAYS WORKING?
Hot topic this week – boundaries, or the apparent lack of them. Our move from physical to virtual workspaces removed the natural boundaries and rituals that defined our norms. The hours of a typical workday, the number of face-to-face meetings vs phone calls, what being away from your desk meant, and how we spoke to each other, all carried expectations that were washed away like footprints in the sand with the onset of our virtual lives.
A great benefit of virtual is you can be anywhere. The great detriment appears to be it mean anytime and any way. People are feeling exhausted, burnt out and at times demoralized by the lack of boundaries this new way of working has created. Simple emails or a quick phone call to answer a question have been replaced by an abundance of Zoom calls often involving too many faces that would never have been there pre-COVID. Breaks that happened as part of a normal day, to grab a bite to eat or have a social chat have been replaced by a fear that if you are not at your computer screen, you are not working. Over talking that was frowned upon in conference rooms runs rampant on video screens.
Boundaries exist for a reason. No game is ever played without them. They create rules and preserve our physical and emotional energy and well-being. The evidence is clear that setting appropriate boundaries with your boss and colleagues is key to remaining satisfied and productive at work.
If you are not experiencing a lack of boundaries – good for you - you are in the minority. If you are in need of boundaries, now is the time to take back control of your life! If you were in your physical workspace, would the matter require a face-to-face meeting? If not, you don’t have to accept a FaceTime call, you can just call back on audio. If you were in your office, would you close the door so as not to be disturbed? Then don’t allow yourself to be virtually disturbed. Which Zoom calls don’t require your smiling face? I have been on enough calls where some members chose not to video participate – it was perfectly fine.
For many it appears to have become the norm to expect teams to be available at all hours. Just because we are working remotely does not mean the other people and parts of our lives no longer matter. We still need time to walk the dog and be with our partners and kids. We need time to ourselves. We need time to process, shut down, and reenergize. Trust me, if you assert appropriate boundaries, others will get the message. They will respect them and you for setting them.
This shift away workplace norms did not happen on purpose. We went from normal work to crisis management. The earlier days required intensive work schedules to set up and manage a rapidly changing landscape. We are here now. We can’t wait for the new normal - we are creating it now. How do you want your new normal to be for you and your teams? Do you want productive, happy contributors or people you see all the time?
It may take a little time to get yourself and others used to new boundaries. One thing we do know from what we have all been through is our capacity to change and learn. As you plan your week, schedule some parameters that make you feel empowered or help give your teams the space they need to be productive.
As we go into the long holiday weekend, there is one boundary we are all aware of and need to carefully consider - six feet. Like the others outlined above, it keeps us safe, happy and healthy.
Happy Friday Everyone.
Stay well.
