The Great Rethink

In A Changing Workforce, is it Time For You to Rethink Your Career?

As someone who has worked in the corporate world for years, I've seen firsthand how sudden changes can affect businesses. From mergers and acquisitions to management shake ups, these changes can be jarring for employees. But nothing caused as much upheaval as the pandemic. The sudden shift to remote work, the uncertainty of the future, and the constant changes in policies led to what experts are calling ‘The Great Rethink.’ Last year, the CIPD produced a report where they highlighted the cause and impact of this phenomenon.

In this article, we'll explore what The Great Rethink is, how it affects HR professionals and individuals, and what you can do to adapt.

Introduction: What is The Great Rethink?

The Great Rethink is an alternative name for The Great Resignation, which describes the movement of workers within the labour market. This can manifest in a variety of ways. Experts suggest this was triggered by the pandemic, with employees feeling disconnected from their colleagues, struggling to adjust to remote work, or feeling overwhelmed by the constant changes in policies and procedures. For many people the distance created by the pandemic allowed them to pause and take stock of what they wanted from their career, and The Great Rethink shows that reflection turned to action.

The Great Rethink: Understanding the impact of the pandemic on culture and work

The pandemic forced us to re-evaluate many aspects of our lives, including how we work. Remote work, once seen as a luxury for a select few, became the norm for many businesses. This shift had a profound impact on the way we work and interact with our colleagues. Meetings conducted over Zoom, water-cooler chats replaced by Slack messages, and the line between work and home life becoming increasingly blurred.

This new way of working led to what some experts are calling the ‘Great Resignation’ or alternatively ‘Great Rethink’. People are re-evaluating their priorities and questioning whether their current job is fulfilling their needs. Many are realising that they want more flexibility, more control over their work, and a better work-life balance. This led to a surge in people quitting their jobs and searching for new opportunities.

The need for change: Why professionals are quitting their jobs

The pandemic was a wake-up call for many professionals. It forced us to confront the reality that our jobs may not be as secure or fulfilling as we once thought. For some, the pandemic highlighted the cracks in their current workplace culture. They may feel unsupported, undervalued, or overworked. For others, the pandemic gave them a chance to reflect on their priorities and realise that their current job isn't aligned with their values.

Whatever the reason, the fact remains that professionals are quitting their jobs in record numbers. This presents a challenge for businesses that are already struggling to adapt to the ‘new normal’. But it also presents an opportunity. By investing in strategies to help their employees adapt to the new culture, businesses can retain their top talent and even attract new talent who are looking for a supportive and adaptable workplace culture.

Career Coaching: How coaching can help professionals adapt to the changing culture

One strategy that professionals can use to help their employees adapt to the new culture is career coaching. Career coaching can help individuals gain clarity on their goals, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and develop a plan to achieve their career aspirations. This can be especially helpful for employees who are feeling lost or disengaged in their current role.

Career coaching can also help professionals develop the skills they need to succeed in the so-called ‘new normal’. For example, coaching can help employees improve their communication skills, develop a growth mindset, and learn how to manage their time effectively. By investing in career coaching for their employees, businesses can help their workforce adapt to the new culture and develop the skills they need to thrive.

Professional Development: The importance of investing in personal and professional growth

Professional development refers to any activities or training that help employees improve their skills and knowledge. This can include attending conferences, taking online courses, participating in workshops, or as mentioned earlier, coaching.

Investing in professional development can have a range of benefits not just for professional individuals, but also for those working in HR who are supporting a team. For one, it can help employees stay engaged and motivated in their current role. It can also help employees develop the skills they need to succeed. And perhaps most importantly, it can help businesses retain their top talent by showing employees that they are valued and invested in their growth. This way businesses can increase employee retention and avoid quiet-quitting.

Conclusion: Embracing change and adapting to the new culture in business

The pandemic brought about a period of immense change in the business world. For many professionals, it was a challenging time. However, it also presented an opportunity for growth and development. By investing in strategies to help their employees adapt to the new culture, businesses can retain their top talent and even attract new talent who are looking for a supportive and adaptable workplace culture. As we move forward, it's essential that we embrace change and adapt.

Is it time for you to rethink your career path? Get in touch with Flourish to schedule a free zoom call to discuss your options.