How EAs can lead the road to recovery in 2021
Did you hear it ? You know , the palpable collective sigh as clocks struck twelve and calendars turned over — Phew ! 2021
THE EXPERT
Mark Carter is an international keynote speaker , trainer and coach . He has over 20 years ’ experience as a global learning and development professional . His TEDxCasey talk ‘ Paws and Effect : how teddy bears increase value perception ’ was the movie trailer for his latest book Add Value .
We ’ re smart enough to know any initial positivity associated with a date change is merely a surface level mindset strategy to help wipe away persistent stubborn stains from 2020 . There ’ s much done by way of inspired practical action to help navigate trailing challenges or further hurdles . The bright side is companies are getting ready for recovery as economists predict a likely synchronous global economic bounce back . For many years now it ’ s recognised an EA ’ s and PA ’ s impact goes well beyond typical expectations associated with legacy roles . Indeed several critical business pillars are directly in their sphere of influence . One in particular will benefit significantly from your contributions . The initiatives you champion ideally being a combination that ’ s logically constructive and creative . That pillar is culture .
Company cultures have been tested this past year . In the same way external forces may constantly interrupt a playful puppy otherwise happily exploring and interacting with life . Okay , in the case of the cute puppy the external force is frequently in the form of cuddles , hugs and love from us . Whereas culture interruptions from lockdowns have been the equivalent of brutal aggression .
Whether it ’ s bringing values to life , hands on project collaborations , or improved communications through regular town halls and events , they ’ ve all been built with the basic tenet of human connection . Something we ’ re all hardwired with to varying degrees . Yes , there ’ s possibly some among us loving the idea of Macaulay Culkin ‘ home alone ’ remote work : no commute , camera off , leave me be to get on with things . Yet even then , people are not designed to be islands .
We know 2021 is likely to be a hybrid-style scenario : split team shifts or combined office versus home time . Offices are opening and teams are gradually winding their way back into workspaces . This is not unlike ‘ bring a pet to work ’ day ! Some folks can ’ t wait ; imagine the newness , novelty , even excitement of it all after such a hiatus . Simultaneously others may experience returning transitions with investigative curiosity : the strangeness of it all , what was once familiar feels like a whole different environment . And for some , wide-eyed shell shock !
Creativity in continuing traditions There ’ re many layers to what constitutes business culture . A starting point is relating to business culture no different than where the word originates . In an ethnological sense , culture is defined as the ideas , customs and social behaviours of a particular group of people where they feel part of the tribe .
Having traditions or a common language are two examples . The traditions that bond your people may require upgrades or a little creative flair to keep them alive . There are four basic arenas : to celebrate ( birthdays , successes ), to honour ( tenure , milestones ), to rejuvenate ( quarterly , annual or product launches ), or to mourn ( team members moving on to new pastures ). All can still be ceremoniously conducted in the hybrid world ; it just takes a little creativity , planning and tenacity . Internal trophies may still be physically distributed ( regardless if they ’ re cheesy or a little more sophisticated ) to worthy recipients to decorate home shelves .
We often give meaning to distance in relationships being difficult , but don ’ t let the
54 Chief of Staff | Issue 1 2021