In the aftermath of the COVID-19 crisis that forced law firms around the globe to quickly shift to remote work, a crucial lesson emerges for business leaders: the power and necessity of robust, genuine communication. Beginning in mid-March 2020, offices closed their doors and adopted remote operations, a move that continued for most of that year. It wasn’t until late 2021 that firms began to trickle back into their offices. As of now, most of the Am Law companies have adopted a hybrid working model, with around three to four days in the office and the remainder of the week functioning remotely. Unlike their Am Law counterparts, non-Am Law organisations have largely reverted back to full-time on-site work since 2022.
In the course of reflecting on the COVID-19 crisis, nine key lessons have been deduced. On top of the list: leaders should regularly communicate to their teams in a more personal manner. This can come in the form of sharing personal stories, showing vulnerability, or even sharing tidbits about their pets for a unique and relatable touch. All of these make for a more human and engaging connection between leaders and employees in an ever-changing work environment.
The need for this authentic leadership communication has become a potent necessity in our new normal. Undoubtedly, as we navigate the ever-evolving effects of the global pandemic, more lessons are yet to unfold.
These initial takeaways are derived from reflections on the pandemic’s impact as noted in a recent report by Law.com.