Like many people, over the last three months, I’ve had the opportunity to work remotely. However, as the country begins to reopen, many of us will be returning to our conventional office.
Are you ready to transition back to your conventional office?
As we prepare to return to our conventional offices, I’ve had several conversations with my team to determine their comfort level with returning to work. Some team members can’t wait to return to the office. Others are reluctant and would prefer to continue working remotely.
During a recent conversation with a young lady I mentor, I asked her how she felt about returning to her conventional office? She said she had mixed emotions. She explained that while she was excited to reconnect with her colleagues, she enjoyed the flexibility of working from home.
When she finished, I understood her dilemma. She was on an emotional roller coaster. While she loved her job and wanted the collaboration and connection of a conventional office, she was concerned about how to transition back into the traditional environment.
As I listen to her, I was reminded of how I felt when I returned to my office after a six-month hiatus. Although I was eager to return, I was anxious because I knew things would be different. I wasn’t sure how I would fit in with the new way of work.
Over the next 30 minutes, we discussed her concerns about returning to a conventional office. I explained that I had experienced the same emotions. I shared the strategies I used to transition from working remotely to my conventional office successfully. As we concluded, she had a list of next steps to complete before her return date.
So how can you successfully transition from working remotely to a traditional environment? The following ten strategies will help you successfully transition back to your conventional office:
- Embrace a positive mindset
- Inventory your work attire
- Prepare child/family care plans
- Establish a traditional work routine
- Adjust home life routines to reduce conflict
- Evaluate transportation requirements
- Clarify your Supervisor’s expectations
- Prepare to hit the ground running
- Review office procedures and protocols
- Connect and communicate with stakeholders
Transitioning back to the conventional office is not as simple as walking back into the office and picking up where you left off. Therefore, it is essential to set yourself up for success.
While working remotely has many advantages, so does working in a traditional office environment. Many of the benefits of flexibility, autonomy, and comfort can be transferred to the conventional office.
“While the adjustments may initially be overwhelming, with practice and patience, you can find success and satisfaction on “the inside,” too.”
Rachell Buell
Are you ready to return to work?
#YourLeadershipGuide
Kim
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Kim, I appreciate your return to work tips. Number seven is key. It is best to be on the same page as your supervisor so be sure to communicate together on expectations. Cheers!