Empathy and Flexibility Can Help Us Navigate a Chaotic 2020

Oof. What a year. 2020 has certainly been a year of contradictions. In some ways, it is a year that has trudged along at a glacial pace. Other times, it is hard to believe that it really has been more than six months since we shopped for groceries without a mask, worked alongside coworkers in the office or attended a movie in a crowded theater.

By now, we are coming to terms with the new rhythm to our lives that the COVID-19 pandemic set in motion. Like many organizations, ISACA has pivoted predominantly to remote work since the seriousness of the pandemic became evident early this year. While many of us have enjoyed eliminating our commutes and spending extra time with our families, this has been a year that, in many ways, has brought unprecedented challenges to both our physical and mental health. In addition to the natural concerns about the threat of the coronavirus to ourselves and our loved ones, the disruptions of this pandemic year have created economic anxieties, occasionally made us feel claustrophobic in our homes and made it difficult to connect in person with family, friends and coworkers. And many parts of the world, certainly in the U.S., are experiencing change and unrest that adds to our collective anxiety.

These times call for organizational cultures rooted in empathy and flexibility. While this year is impacting each of us in different ways, many of us are experiencing heightened levels of stress and anxiety in some aspects of our life. Showing support and understanding for what our colleagues are experiencing – whether that is helping to supervise their children’s remote learning, caring for a sick family member or simply feeling isolated – can go a long way in preserving our communal well-being. It is a year in which, as the saying goes, we’d all be well-served to acknowledge that, sometimes, it’s OK to be not OK.

Not everything about this new way of living and working is a step back. In some ways, remote work has afforded us the opportunity to develop even closer relationships with colleagues – so long as we’re intentional about doing so. I’ve personally scheduled 1-on-1 video calls with more than 100 ISACA employees as an opportunity to check in and find out how they’ve been acclimating to these unusual times. These types of interactions allow for the opportunity to ask about a picture on the wall, an interesting book on the bookshelf or a pet vying for attention in the background. Often, these calls have led to more meaningful connections than a quick “hello” walking past someone in the hall at the office. This year has certainly dispelled myths many corporate leaders once believed about the necessity of employees working in the office full-time. In many cases – including in the case of ISACA – employees have shown they can be equally productive, and in many cases moreso, while working remotely. And in the time saved from commuting, employees have been able to enjoy additional moments with their families, pursued new hobbies and rekindled old ones. This plays an important role in improving work-life balance and guarding against burn-out.

Even as we prioritize our own health and the health of our communities, we also have to be mindful of our organizations’ health. The pandemic has forced many companies to recalibrate their business models and methods of delivery, accelerating the already rapid pace of digital transformation. All of this reinforces that today’s professionals need to be lifelong learners and continue to build the skills and credentials that will allow them to evolve their careers with the fast-changing times. Promoting continuous learning is at the core of what ISACA is, and we are even more focused on providing these opportunities in this new landscape. Despite ongoing travel limitations, we are finding new ways to support our professional community’s needs for learning and connection (take a look at some of them in our COVID-19 Resource Center here). In October, for example, we will conduct our 2020 EuroCACS conference virtually, and we are excited about our second annual CommunITy Day this Saturday, with more of an emphasis this year on outdoor, solo and virtual activities.

There’s no sense in sugarcoating it – this has been a year that has brought too much burden and heartache. But together we can help each other persevere and even thrive. Showing care and empathy for one another is the best antidote to the anxiety so many of us are experiencing. In that spirit, it is a great time to connect – or reconnect – with your ISACA colleagues, whether it is to troubleshoot a work challenge, seek career advice or even to simply drop a quick note to show that you care. This year more than ever, it is that shared humanity that will help all of us – and our organizations – find the bright spots and the opportunities.