Clear Path Communications

Returning to the office: How to accelerate the transition

Since 2020, you and your employees have been working comfortably and effectively at home. Now you ask them to come back in the office, which is being met with little enthusiasm and little action. So what does it take besides the old-fashioned carrot (free lunches/bagels) and stick (mandates)?

Read more in our newsletter here...
https://mailchi.mp/66991ef6dae7/accelerating-return-to-work

As more organizations push decision-making down we may find leaders resistant to own their newly obtained accountabilities - it's risky!

What’s most needed from managers now As organizations shift from command-and-control leadership to more decentralized decision-making, the “frozen middle” is melting—and managers have to step up.

My favorite line in this article "It's astonishing what you can learn in a moment of humility, as long as you are open to the possibility."

5 Leadership Lessons to Embrace in 2022 and Beyond An unpredictable world has reshaped how leaders must lead. Here are five leadership trends that will be critical to your success moving forward.

Serious list of trends we might see in 2022 and beyond. I'm particularly interested in his mention of "managerial tasks will be automated away, creating space for managers to build more human relationships with their employees." Creating space is one thing, but providing managers support and skill-building to focus on more human-centered relationships is imperative.

11 Trends that Will Shape Work in 2022 and Beyond After two years of disruption, volatility will only continue to increase.

Wishing you lots of fun this holiday season!

Let's end 2021 with some fun!

Self-compassion and self-care enhances your personal and professional development. Read more about my latest experience, along with behaviors and exercises to start helping yourself and others, in my latest newsletter…https://mailchi.mp/13b5083e1860/be-kind-to-yourself

I'm often disappointed in the quick fix top 10 lists we see so often posted, but this list does not disappoint: binge watching emotionally charged shows, waiting too long to eat, planning out too far in advance, taking shallow breathes, slouching! I'm going to practice them all this week while I'm on vacation :)

12 Mindless Habits That Are Secretly Exhausting You Feeling tired no matter how much rest you get? These behaviors you probably do every day could be to blame.

Leaders, your teams are watching your every move. The simple act of being kind to someone without expectation has a ripple effect. I challenge you to bestow an act or words of kindness to five employees within 24 hours of reading this post. Then sit back to feel the benefits and experience the returns.

Don’t Underestimate the Power of Kindness at Work Three research-backed benefits.

I love the concept of "work appropriately" for the message it sends to employees. And I also know that for something like this to truly work the team must already a have strong culture of trust and accountability - especially modeled by leaders. Let's continue to aspire...!

GM's 2-Word Plan for Returning to Work Is Vague, Ambiguous, Unclear, and Simply Brilliant Think you need a comprehensive return-to-work policy? Take a page from General Motors CEO Mary Barra instead.

The author says he has "developed an approach called success metrics" for accountability. Um, sorry, I think success metrics have been around for a very long time. I'm intrigued though...are there still organizations tracking professional workers time, or leaders who still rely on "butts in seats" as a performance indicator? Maybe I'm in a bubble...enlighten me please!

Commentary: A new measure of success—counting hours worked isn't cutting it anymore Commentary: With more hybrid work, businesses must get smarter about how they measure employee productivity and performance.

Wow, imagine reading out load to your employees the worst feedback you've received!? What a powerful moment to model humanity, build trust, and encourage learning/growth.

Building a culture of learning at work How leaders can create the psychological safety for people to constantly rethink what’s possible.

I love the very specific advice they give for managers... instead of just asking an employee "How are you doing?" which can beg a short, often nondescript response, ask them how they are doing not being able to do X or how they are dealing with the kids going to school online. Often just listening is the most effective path to someone feeling supported.

Supporting employees working from home The vaccines needed to end the pandemic are here, but it will be months before many employees come back to the workplace. Here’s how to help them now.