There is a lot of talk right now about how work will work as we come out of the pandemic and settle into the new ordinary. Will we all be together? Will we continue to be remote? Will we have an office or a communal space?
Most companies are still in the planning stages which means they likely have more questions than answers. It is stressful for sure.
I have read several articles about companies that are committing to a hybrid model. Some are going to have employees commit to a permanent schedule of in and out of office days. Others will leave it flexible.
Several companies are going back to the office – everybody, all the time. One rationale is that remote workers may get passed over for promotions or miss development opportunities because they are not physically present.
That sounds like a cop out to me. I just don’t buy it. It’s no different than people in the old days who worked in branch offices or people who worked late or people who went for smoke breaks together. Those situations and relationships provided the exposure to people outside their regular circle which can often act as a catalyst for a new opportunity.
There are other ways to get facetime with managers and colleagues outside your immediate group or team. Working remotely means you aren’t going to bump into someone at the coffee machine or in the elevator. (You might bump into your spouse at the coffee machine but that’s not likely to lead to a promotion). You need to cultivate new connections.
This could mean volunteering for a new project or program. Many companies are asking for volunteers for diversity initiatives – that would be a great way to connect with new people.
You want to find a common connection and then reach out for a conversation. Maybe you are working on the same account but in different regions. Maybe you are both super users of some software. Maybe you liked a post that they shared on LinkedIn. Don’t just punch the “like’” button. Pick up the phone and give them a call.
This might sound like networking 101. It is. Whether you are working in the office or not, you need to connect with new people and nurture your relationships if you want to keep the opportunities coming.
Recruiter's Couch 