Staying Connected During Isolation
Are you like me? A card-carrying extrovert who loves to visit and chat with my coworkers every day? During this time of social distancing, it is difficult for everyone to avoid the isolation blues – not just the extroverts. How do you tell the people you usually see every day that you are still here for them? How do we stay connected to our coworkers during quarantine and still be professional?
We all know that “Zoom” is the buzzword of 2020. Everyone is using the video conferencing platform from TV talk shows to recording artists to politicians on the morning news. Even YOU most likely had a Zoom meeting within the past few hours. As the days go by, people are becoming more and more tech-savvy with Zoom, so why not take advantage of everyone’s new skill set? Set up a Zoom lunch or happy hour for the entire office. Talk about the things you would normally chat about in the office kitchen such as: Did you see the game last night? How was your daughter’s graduation? Binge any good shows on Netflix lately? Feel free to bring your pet “to lunch” and introduce your fur baby to the group. Consider starting a lunchtime book club or TV watch party and “hang out” via Zoom – just remember to be respectful of your company’s work hours!
You can also use other means to remind people that they are not forgotten. Send a YouTube link to a song or video that is uplifting such as an earworm you cannot get out of your head - pass it on and share the joy! If you have viewed a really engaging and thought-provoking TED Talk recently, email it to your working groups and teammates. Use chat platforms like Jabber, Google Chat or even a simple text message and say “Good morning!” to a different coworker every day, letting them know they are appreciated. Since we all must cook most of our meals these days, arrange a recipe exchange with your coworkers and email inviting pictures of your successful dish to your office distribution list.
You can also set up individual check-ins with your team members to see how they are doing and to show that they are not forgotten. Although people are having a lot of Zoom meetings, having these non-work gatherings or check-ins will give everyone something to look forward to.
During times like these, the line between working and spending time with your family becomes blurred. It is important to establish and maintain boundaries between your work and home life. Set up defined start and end times for your work schedule and share that information with your family. Some days will be easier than others to stick to your schedule – try your best. Explain to your family that you have work to do and will spend time with them when your workday is over. Once you are able to sit down and relax with your family, turn your laptop off and put down your phone. Be present and engage with your loved ones without distraction. During these stressful times, the mental health of you and your family is more important than your email inbox! It’s also a good rule of thumb to allow more grace and time for your coworkers to respond to emails, as they may be tending to needs within their own home such as homeschooling, dog walking or intercepting a UPS delivery!
Even though everyone is connecting from home, always remember to make sure your work space within view of the camera is clean and clear of clutter. You never want to have an unmade bed in the background or unprofessional posters or pictures on the wall behind you.
Making the effort to keep your team connected is for both the health and success of your entire office. The more you reach out to those you work with, the more they will reach out to you. Your connections will become routine and very much welcomed.
So maintain that healthy distance while keeping spirits up. Be safe and take care.