Figuratively speaking, “being in touch” and “staying in touch” makes a difference.
We are living through a period which has made “being in touch” an anachronism. Thousands of years of evolution and the cultural cultivation of varied activities, customs and habits have been identified as potentially deadly and made off-limits.
Many lives have been turned upside down and the uncertainty which has accompanied the pandemic has caused much hesitancy for employers, isolation for employees and further stress for those in transition.
How and where work fits into our lives have been put to the test. The difficulty being experienced in getting control of the situation has caused many to question whether or not anyone knows how to manage the complex and combustible combinations of health, commerce and community. People do their best.
The challenges of running a business are compounded by these extraordinary conditions as organizations struggle to anticipate how to identify and manage through the on-going threats and challenges.
Similar to the stop and start proclamations from government, companies have initiated searches and then put them on hold. I don’t think I am going out on a limb when I say that since March 2020 it has been more difficult for executives in transition.
Clements United conducts research amongst executives who have been through transition and prior to the pandemic a sample of 150 rated the losses associated with the loss of their job.
The loss of routine at 72%, the loss of status at 65% and the loss of workplace friendships at 61% were rated as most impactful. All of these have probably been exacerbated by the pandemic.
And, once again, prior to the pandemic, 42% found the process of finding their next role to have been “More difficult than expected, while 39% found it to have been, “As expected” and only 19% found it to have been “Easier than expected.” I suspect the pandemic cohort would view things differently.
I have been very impressed by my clients as they have diligently pursued their next roles, but I want to add that they all appreciate, probably more than ever, a call back or a call just to check in.
At different points in our lives, we could be one of those helping, or one of those being helped. I encourage you to take a call or make a call. Someone will be happy you have been in touch, whether or not they are in transition!