Document Your Journey
We may never see a COVID-19 level disruption again. That would be great!
Take a moment to mentally step back and understand the historical significance of what we are experiencing with COVID-19. Movies will be made of this moment, history “books” will include it, life will change because of it, people will remember it, employees will forever feel it and future candidates will ask about it.
As HR Pros, we are doing the most important work of our life.
Things are moving fast, decisions are being made, and a new way of work is forming. How do you cut a live check when your Payroll team is working remotely? Well, now you know. How do you migrate your team to being fully remote? Yep, you know that now as well. To whom, how and when do you communicate critical information with your staff? There may be no right answer, but you are trying your best to find the solution.
As all of these technical, process and cultural changes are happening, take a moment to document the moment, problem, and solution. Three months from now, your future self will thank you. If you take a few moments to document these critical elements - what you will have material to provide yourself a guide for how to address similar disruptions going forward and how to re-integrate your staff, re-orient your processes, and ensure a smooth transition back to the ‘new normal.’
Documentation allows you to look back on the who, what, where, when, why, and what happened when the environment is less crazy. It allows you to reflect on the good, bad and crazy you were working in. It provides history as to why decision were made, and the process used at the time. It also provides you with an understanding on how to get better.
In times of chaotic work, documentation doesn’t have to be perfect. Here are some easy ways to document:
- Start a Document: Create a Google doc or shared Word.doc or OneNote. At the end of each day, take five minutes to write down your key thoughts for the day. Invite others to include their comments or keep it to yourself.
- Record Meetings: All of our meetings are in virtual rooms that allow us to record. If appropriate and approved, take advantage of the recording feature. Once a week, during a team meeting, let the group talk about the good, bad, decision made, future problems that need to be addressed. This helps because you get different perspectives.
- Record Audio: Your phone, and computer, has an audio recorder and has plenty of space to save the files. Record yourself or your team, if recording a team meeting is approved, as audio offers an easy way to record and look back.
- Social Media: Live chats on LinkedIn, videos on Instagram, and updates using YouTube record the moment to be able to look back and share with others.
Be consistent as you document. Don’t start today and then go two weeks without doing the next entry. Remember where you keep the files. Is it on your phone or on a work cloud? Finally, be honest. There is no point in documenting false information.
Good luck. Go create amazing employee experiences!
-Team 360HRE