How to Transition Back to the Office

How to Transition Back to the Office

Full-time, hybrid, remote — what does your company’s work schedule look like these days? No matter which one it is, if your organization is all set and ready, your teams will likely deal with a bit of a transition when they do go back to the office. After all, you’ve probably heard that most employees are hesitant to return to the office in this “new normal” COVID work world. In fact, a recent Harvard Business School survey of 1,500 employees found that only 18% would prefer to work in-person, full-time.

Your employees are counting on you for answers. As a leader, it’s essential to find ways to bring back your teams and do it in a manner that keeps your valuable teammates motivated and engaged. Here are a few suggestions to help you lead your team through their transition back to the office.

• Listen to your employees’ concerns and be empathetic. Each employee on your team will have different concerns about their transition back to the office, which is why it’s essential to be aware of their emotions. Consider some new positive ways of engaging with your employees, be empathetic, and listen to their concerns. Be honest with your employees and with yourself. Sure, you’re a leader. However, you may also be dealing with your struggles of returning to the office.
• Appreciate your employees. Build better connections with your teams. Try to understand what it means to devote much of your time away from home. The latter is especially true for those happily working at home with their families nearby. A little appreciation goes a long way. After all, people will never forget how you made them feel.
• Accept that retraining workers may be required. Let’s face it. Some employees may need a refresher on how things work in the office (we’re not talking about the coffee machine either!). Some roles may require revision, and some employees may benefit from a refresher on changes to the process or systems. Of course, communication needs to be consistent.
• Encourage joy. As much as many employees’ love working from home, they also miss things about being in the office. For instance, they’re missing out on office rituals, celebrations, and a feeling of camaraderie. Make office time more enjoyable. Allow time to share stories and let the good times roll. Games anyone?

Client Spotlight

We recently had the pleasure of presenting our AGI Gold Challenge game for employees at an event on Coronado Island in San Diego, CA. It was important for the company’s teammates to reconnect and enjoy quality time with their coworkers outside of their typical office setting.

Teams were able to take part in strategic planning, enhance their time management and risk assessment skills. They also collaborated under pressure, communicated, and sharpened their individual and team-think skills, all while engaging their creativity! All in all, it was a fun day that enabled teams to step out of their comfort zone while reaping the benefits of their customizable Adventure Games Challenge!

From our client: “You all had so much energy and we had so much fun. Thank you for allowing us to walk around, engage, play and move our office outside, even for a couple of hours.”

Bring Back Your Teams with a Customized Adventure They’ll Love!

Is it time to re-engage with your teams that have been stuck at home for far too long? Are you ready to bring back your teams and make them more vital than ever? Request a quote today and let the games begin!