Making sense of the pandemic work transition

I was hired as a potential key officer in a major bank. Within the first month on the job, I was placed in a fast-track, entry-level management training position. Rotating through various departments for two years was stimulating and educational. On my third year, however, the high volume of assigned tasks and tight deadlines made it difficult. There was no time to relax and reflect on what’s happening. The learning curve became steep for me. This was made difficult by the lockdown, which forced many of us to work from home. I feel that bank management has tripled the workload to offset the lack of physical monitoring. Now, I feel like quitting. Please give me your advice. — Terrified Anne

Here’s former heavyweight boxer James “Quick” Tillis on his first day in Chicago: “I got off the bus with two cardboard suitcases under my arms in the downtown area and stopped in front of the Sears Tower. I got my suitcases down and I looked up at the tower and said to myself: “I’m going to conquer Chicago. Then, when I looked down, my suitcases were gone!”

Remember the maxim: “When the going gets tough, the tough get going.” It means that when a situation becomes difficult, only the strong will work hard to meet the challenge. Being “strong” means both physically and mentally. An inspirational quote like this should be enough to get you going, no matter the perceived difficulties you’re facing at work.

You must realize that during this difficult time, many people are losing their jobs. It’s just not the right time to complain. What I’m saying is that you’re very lucky compared to other people who have lost their jobs. I believe many people would choose to be in your shoes.

FIVE SMART MOVES
It’s inevitable that in any management development program, you will be required to take on unexpected new challenges. Consider it a puzzle for you to solve. There’s a Japanese saying: “If you fall seven times, stand up eight.” And to help you to do just that, I’m recommending that you explore the following solutions:

One, divide the tasks into bite-size pieces. South African bishop Desmond Tutu once said: “There is only one way to eat an elephant: one bite at a time.” What he meant by this is that everything in life that seems almost impossible and overwhelming can be accomplished gradually by taking on just a little at a time.

If possible, negotiate with your boss to make goals realistic. If not, find a way to overcome the difficulties by offering practical solutions that may not have occurred to your management. More on this in number four below.

Two, accentuate your value by minimizing your weaknesses. Every one of us has limitations. But it should not prevent you from maximizing your value, thereby offsetting whatever weaknesses you have. This is easy to do and as long as you don’t develop an attitude problem, everything is manageable.

As a candidate on the management track, it’s important to choose your battles wisely. The bank chose you because of your strengths. I’m sure they have an idea of your weaknesses as well. It’s good that they chose to ignore your limitations. They can’t be very wrong in their assessment of your potential. Don’t be the person to debunk their image of you.

Three, accept all difficulties as part of growing up. Reframe your point of view. Be positive about all these challenges coming your way. Not every person has the same opportunities. I believe many of your college classmates might want to trade places with you.

It’s time to take everything in stride. Don’t waste the past three years. By accepting the challenges and proving yourself, you’ll know what you are capable of, and your colleagues will come to respect you as well. In no time at all, you’ll be promoted.

Four, challenge the status quo by offering a better solution. Management people are not always paragons of excellence. Just like you, they commit mistakes. You can discover these mistakes by carefully analyzing all current policies and procedures, many of which were established years ago to solve a problem from the time.

In reviewing a particular system, you might discover that the solution is no longer necessary. Start by asking a lot of “whys.” Be prepared to offer a better option. You’ll be glad you did.

Last, find the time to relax. No matter how busy you are, you can always squeeze in about 10-15 minutes out of every hour. It’s healthy to relieve your eyes from staring computer monitors and to avoid prolonged sitting.

You can also try morning walks of at least 30 minutes. You can also try the morning calisthenics practiced in Japanese-run workplaces. There are many examples from YouTube. Take a brisk walk after dinner. All of these give you a chance to loosen up and bring your best self to the job.

TAKE THE INITIATIVE
Whatever you do, no matter the difficulties, don’t be the first person to complain to your boss and colleagues. Everyone has his or her share of problems and you’re expected to do your part in dealing with your own situation. Sure, you can discuss problems with your boss, but be ready to offer alternative solutions.

Many organizations encourage their people to take responsibility. They want individuals willing to take initiative and a certain amount of calculated risk. In the right circumstances, you will be better off proactively solving problems rather than burying your head in the sand and giving up.

Send anonymous questions to [email protected] or via