Anyone who has been following the media and their environment closely in recent weeks has not only been confronted with sad figures and facts, but has also been surprised by the good that came  out of this crisis: People supported each other, went shopping for the elderly and needy. Small, privately organized concerts outside of nursing homes delighted the residents in their isolated everyday lives. Opportunities for events were found online or in private vehicles. The ingenuity of people provided pockets of joy in light of the crisis and an incentive for even more creativity – perhaps even more so because of the stormy waters around us all, which sometimes interfered more, sometimes less, with our everyday lives.

Makeshift solutions became the new standard

Due to the lockdown in March, many companies had to rethink and find new ways to at least keep their business alive. While a large number of companies had previously vehemently rejected home office work, this was suddenly made possible for employees. Within a very short period of time, hardware and software were moved into private apartments. A large pharmaceutical company, for example, moved a complete call center to the 300 employees' homes. An employee satisfaction survey carried out in this context delivered a result that one would have never dared to dream of: the employees were much more than satisfied, and productivity was even increased.

As a consequence, the company decided to continue offering home office as an option in the future. Furthermore, employee happiness was included as an additional factor in the performance management process. What does this mean?

Enabling lasting change

The more comfortable individuals feel in their professional environment – because they experience themselves seen as a person and appreciated as a human being - the more they feel involved in a common future with the company. They look beyond the edge of their tasks and responsibilities. They are much more likely to contribute that little bit of extra engagement and initiative, in thoughts and ideas, based on considering themselves being part of the company and therefore wanting it to do well.

Necessary measures for change communicated by the management will be much more accepted and successful this way than in a negative emotional climate. It is therefore in the hands of management at all levels to create a positive emotional climate for all those involved. And the best time for this is now!