Leading through tough transitions

Hi Laura:
Really timely issue. For what it's worth---I'd agree your acknowledging the situation is difficult & people can be frustrated is important, and also important that sharing reactions doesn't turn into a negative cycle that brings everyone down. If there's a small # of people really struggling, 1:1s with them might be worth the time if you can spare it. Since my team works in Overdose Prevention the Serenity Prayer is a good touchpoint for us, though I'm not sure if it would work as well in your situation. We try to remember we often can't control what happens but we can control how we respond---so 'what can we do?', 'what do you need?', 'how can we make this work?' all seem like good questions to ask and keep the collective focus on support & solutions. When it seems appropriate I usually tell my team I'm confident we can figure it out. One concrete thing I have been able to do here relates to annual review paperwork. We have 3 categories we *have* to evaluate people on (Customer Service [variously defined], Productivity, Quality) but I have added "Adaptability & Flexibility" to everyone's review form which I think helps somewhat since people know how important it is for our team. They also know that their efforts to navigate through all the changes we face on a monthly (even weekly) basis are officially recognized, documented, and appreciated (even if one of the things I don't have control over is remuneration, but that's a whole other discussion). I'm definitely interested in hearing what others have found helpful in these types of situations, either COVID-specific or other changes due to leadership/staff turnover, administration/legislative change, gain/loss of state or federal funding, etc.

Like many others, we have gone through leadership changes and constant redirections in covid response. We try to communicate with our team about what changes/why/how to adapt through group meetings, 1:1 meetings, and daily touch-base. If possible, we give the team heads-up about potential changes to avoid a complete surprise. We set up a Win Wall for people to post "wins" from a challenging situation. We also have mental wellbeing sessions that include topics on flexibility and managing changes.       

I am in the process of getting a team building exercise scheduled for my team to help address some of these points.

Leann , who runs your mental wellbeing sessions? 

Hi Andrew , at the beginning, he was a volunteer, and then our agency contracted with him. Dr. Sean Fitzpatrick, Director

  

Thanks Leann ! Do you have them in-person or virtual? 

Virtual now. 

Kathyrn, as often as I remember I try to recite the Serenity Prayer during trying times. I do feel that our department should provide, especially since the pandemic, block of time for mental health check-ins, "touching-base" and keeping in the loop sessions. The effect on morale and mental health should not be underestimated.

As a non-manager, it's very encouraging to hear how you all are supporting your teams during this challenging time! Something I often say when I'm working with healthcare facilities during outbreaks is that their patients and residents still need all the same care, even though it's harder to give and takes more resources now, given COVID. I think there's a parallel here - staff still need encouragement and support, probably more than ever, especially while workloads are still so high.