If I have learned anything in the last eighteen months it’s been anything I had a plan for was not going to work out the way I had originally thought.  I have also learned that being adaptable and engaging have become my super powers.  We have been living and working day by day navigating how to adapt to the changing workforce environment with COVID regulations and shortages.  This has been without a doubt one of the craziest times in my career!  With that being said, I have also learned to embrace the chaos.  This hasn’t happened overnight, but as a leader I have learned that I better have one or two back up plans in place because more than likely the first plan isn’t going to work out. 

This may seem like a nightmare to a super structured person or feel near impossible for a job that is driven by a black and white process, but don’t lose hope.  We are resilient creatures by nature and we tend to push that characteristic about ourselves down until we are forced to fight to survive.  Think about it; if our ancestors gave up when they tried to hunt for food, we wouldn’t be here.  They were forced to get creative and adapt to their environment.  We are currently in the same situation, but on a different platform.  Businesses are being forced to change their workforce environment and create a new one.  Businesses that would never have embraced a remote workforce are going completely remote with success.  Employees are finding that they like the flexibility with working from home or in a hybrid work situation.  As a result, employee satisfaction has gone up in many places because they are able to have a successful work/life balance.  Yes, without a doubt, there has been trials and tribulations and it hasn’t all been sunshine and roses, but there has been lots of good change.  I have decided to embrace the chaos and see what great ideas and processes come to life! 

Andrea Applegate