Social Connections in the Time of Physical Distancing: Grow Your Network

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At a daily news briefing on March 20, 2020 officials of the World Health Organization (WHO) said while maintaining a physical distance was “absolutely essential” amid the global pandemic, “it does not mean that socially we have to disconnect from our loved ones, from our family.” In addition to family and friends, set aside time to maintain and grow your professional connections. When is the last time you connected with a former mentor, boss or colleague? Is your LinkedIn profile current? 

Reach OutIs there someone in particular you respect? With many people having more time, consider asking someone to be your mentor, or reach out to someone with a different skill set and suggest sharing ideas and perspectives from one another’s respective areas of expertise.Use TechnologyWe are fortunate to have the ability to connect with others using a variety of devices and technology enables us to be as creative as our time and abilities allow. Whether you video chat, send an email or pick up your phone. and call someone, now is the time to put effort into your professional network along with your social networks.

Dr. Rosina Racioppi, CEO of professional development program provider Women Unlimited, believes social distancing amid the coronavirus could be a catalyst for increased online networking and said it could stave off feelings of loneliness or isolation.

Dr. Jo Webber, CEO of social networking app Pod, similarly said that utilizing spare time while in self-isolation to network online was a way of “laying the foundation for future growth for when the pandemic comes to an end.”

Reaching out to existing and new contacts on LinkedIn is one method suggested by Racioppi.

“As you network, don’t be afraid to ask for a contact’s point of view on issues and circumstances that you are experiencing,” she said. “It’s also a great time to post your own thoughts and create more visibility for yourself.”

Likewise, Webber argued that expanding professional networks as a way of creating greater visibility is particularly important for small and medium-sized businesses which have a local focus.

“While most of the world is more tethered to the computer and cellphone than ever, this is a great time to do it and it will help some businesses save themselves,” she said.

Now is the perfect time to reflect on your network and consider opportunitites to build and increase your network. Taking a proactive approach might better position you to learn about opportunities and to remind others of how you can support their business needs.

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Communication and Respect: Being Sensitive During Times of Increased Stress

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As we develop new routines, working from a kitchen table or bedroom desk, deciding whether it is ok to wear athletic gear, most important to our professional demeanor and our mental health, is to remember to keep lines of communication open, and recognize the need to be respectful of others during these times of incresed stress.

 INCREASE COMMUNICATION

Communication is key in any work environment, but now that many are working from home, it’s vital. Keep in touch using more than just emails and texts. Make time in your schedule for phone calls or video conferences. Video conferences enable a greater understanding of the intent of a message. It can be easy to misunderstand the intent of hte written word; body language can assist in setting the right tone and delivering the intended message.

In any workplace, the ability to read body language and assess non-verbal cues can shape the way we provide feedback and share ideas. one of the most important things to keep in mind.”

BE RESPECTFUL

It’s especially important to be mindful of what’s happening in the world and the impact this has on the people you work with. As we cope with the effects of a global pandemic, make an effort to be more aware of new challenges faced by those around you. While we are self-isolating, we need to make an effort to be empathetic. People are being impacted by the stress of a change in routine, worries for themselves or loved ones and fears about their financial futures.

Part of this mindfulness involves recognizing the toll of physical isolation. Many of us are likely feeling lonely and lacking emotional support – especially those who live alone.

Reach out to family, friends and coworkers more often, even if it’s just to ask how they’re doing.

Checking in with others signals something we need right now – empathy and compassion. It’s important to make people feel like while they might be physically alone, they are still connected socially.

AWS Members Consider Career Changes

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Eighteen months ago, AWS surveyed our members and found job satisfaction was high, particularly because individuals were relieved to have a job in a very unstable market. AWS’ jobs poll shows 84% of our members still report they are satisfied or very satisfied; in this group 25% were considering other career options compared to 41% of total respondents. AWS members are experienced professionals, many in technical positions and as such have had, and continue enjoying, a higher level of job security.

Of the Alumni who left their current positions in the last 6 months, 30% did so because of a better opportunity elsewhere. Twenty three percent left for a bigger challenge and 33% left for other reasons such as bad relationship with a manager, salary and benefits, selling their company, their company going bankrupt or retiring.

These figures are in comparison to a recent survey by job-placement firm Manpower which reported 84% of employees plan to look for a new position in 2011. The general industry figure of 84% is up from 60% last year. In a survey conducted by Firstdirect, almost seven million workers in the UK have moved jobs in order to find a better boss and improved working environment. The division of HSBC Bank plc has found that one in ten workers have switched careers in their search, while one in 20 has attempted to set up his or her own business.

Similar to findings in the CNN Money article, most ARCO alumni in 2009 to 2010 sat tight through the recession, not even considering other jobs because so few firms were hiring. For the past few years, the Labor Department’s quits rate, which serves as a barometer of workers’ ability to change jobs, has hovered near an all-time low.

But after years of increased work and frozen compensation, “a lot of people will be looking because they’re disappointed with their current jobs,” said Paul Bernard, a veteran executive coach and career management advisor who runs his own firm. Contrary to Bernard’s comment on disappointment at work, AWS community members were generally positive about their work, indicating new challenges and opportunities as a result of improved technologies and reorganizations within their companies had kept job satisfaction high.