The right employee mindset in Covid-19 times. Inner purpose.

It’s incredibly unsettling as a business leader knowing that we suddenly need to run our business on the NEW normal when we don’t really know what the NEW norm will look like. Sure, there are futurists and advisors sharing their most valued insight but right now it’s still pretty much speculation. Right now, you have a business to run. You have clients to serve and people to motivated on products and services you are not sure still meet a market opportunity. The teams and people you have now are the ones who are going to help you find the right ideas and solutions. But the reality is most of your people were not hired to manage such circumstances. In current Covid-19 times the engagement and employee mindset are more important than ever.

Take sales leaders for example. Facing the current circumstances, the natural reflex is to simply adjust the targets and then expect its back to business as usual, but they are potentially missing on the way we sell has potentially also changed.
A more broad and flexible thinking is needed to bring sustainable and profitable solutions to the table.
It starts with self-understanding
To get the right answers and inspire the right thinking starts with, self -understanding. Helping people understand their values and encourage them to find their purpose at work. I call this building the right mind-set.
Here are some great questions to help inspire your teams and colleagues come to the table with the right mindset to help you find the solutions in these uncertain times.
What are you good at doing? Which work activities require less effort? What do you take on because you believe you’re the best person to do it? What have you gotten noticed for throughout your career?
The idea here is to help people identify their strengths and open possibilities from there.

What do you enjoy? In a typical workweek, what do you look forward to doing? What do you see on your calendar that energizes you? If you could design your job with no restrictions, how would you spend your time?
These questions help people find or rediscover what they love about work.

What feels most useful? Which work outcomes make you most proud? Which of your tasks are most critical to the team or organization? What are the highest priorities for your life and how does your work fit in?
This line of inquiry highlights the inherent value of certain work.

What creates a sense of forward momentum? What are you learning that you’ll use in the future? What do you envision for yourself next? How’s your work today getting you closer to what you want for yourself?
The goal here is to show how today’s work helps them advance toward future goals.

How do you relate to others? Which working partnerships are best for you? What would an office of your favorite people look like? How does your work enhance your family and social connections?
These questions encourage people to think about and foster relationships that make work more meaningful.
From this base you will be better equipped to manage the NEW norm.

Marc Bouvron 
CEO of Cparla a social impact agency helping companies inspire purpose at work though social/ environmental action and consulting.
Ref: by Kristi Hedges (author of The Inspiration Code: How the Best Leaders Energize People Every Day and The Power of Presence: Unlock Your Potential to Influence and Engage Others).