In March 2020, COVID-19 was declared a global pandemic. It’s difficult to state how far-reaching its impact will be. Already, we’ve seen how workplaces transformed, career plans changed course, and the concept of balancing “work” and “life” took on an entirely different meaning.
In our #WomensCareerChat, women business leaders on social media discussed how this transformation has affected women in the workplace – for better or worse. Inspired by their career journeys, how 2020 has transformed their perspectives, and their hopes for the future, we share some of the highlights from our chat and encourage everyone to visit the live feed for the full conversation.
On the impact of isolation.
The sudden “silence” impacted me. The impacts of being in “isolation taught me to put my mental health first. #WomensCareerChat #LifeAtATT https://t.co/FR5mqz9P7H
— Mara (@MaraHandled) March 30, 2021
Q4 The lack of interaction with people has been tough. I underestimated how much I get done via drive by chats. I also had to work a lot harder to connect with my network. But it’s worth the effort! #womenscareerchat #lifeatatt https://t.co/x4dAIsmm3U
— Shay Phillips (@ShayPhillips2) March 30, 2021
On the importance of mindfulness.
I’ve learned to take a step back and ask why. With so many unknowns, being mindful of every decision makes for a happier workplace (avoiding burnout) and a more beneficial strategy in the end. #WomensCareerChat https://t.co/W9I1J1pFlM
— Christie Post (@christiepost) March 30, 2021
Learning the balance of being a mom, partner, teacher, chef & colleague has been challenging and rewarding. Love the time spent together. @LEAGUEatATT #LifeatATT #WomensCareerChat https://t.co/2ekmw3psnJ
— Stacey Chosed (@sgchosed) March 30, 2021
On staying connected with coworkers.
If we don’t actively make a point of effectively communicating with each other, confusion and misunderstandings happen. I’ve had to adapt my regular style of in-person communication to being effective in a remote environment. #WomensCareerChat https://t.co/GbeDgyyIcK
— Melissa Madian (@MelissaMadian) March 30, 2021
Not all calls need to be video calls.
Meetings can often be summarized in an email.Think about goals/objectives before you send that meeting invite. Save colleagues time & energy. It’s critical that we optimize for that. #zoomfatigue #WomensCareerChat https://t.co/HxHgM0Cdzg
— Lauren Cooney✨ (@lcooney) March 30, 2021
It’s all about relationships. There was a big focus on making connections – across our team, with our customers, and in our communities. I saw a tremendous amount of support rise up out of the chaos. #WomensCareerChat https://t.co/KZbSwyupld
— Stacey Marx (@StaceyAMarx) March 30, 2021
People never forget how you make them feel. Together, we’ve expressed job losses, political unrest, illness, death… the list goes on. We’re now closer than ever to our colleagues at work and the boundaries between personal/professional are almost nonexistent. #WomensCareerChat https://t.co/BADmxgPxIB
— Dasle Kim (@daslekim) March 30, 2021
On community impact and equality in the workplace.
Oof, this past year has been a doozy, with all of the in-person events I would typically speak at being cancelled.
Remember hearing of how women make up > 50% of the workforce?
Not any more.
Covid forced women out of the workforce in shocking numbers#womenscareerchat @attjobs https://t.co/g5uzkHH8p0— Jo Miller 📚 ✍️ (@jomillerauthor) March 30, 2021
Last March, the world dramatically changed. @GENYOUthNow pivoted our efforts to help schools fight food insecurity. The shutdown closed 124K schools leaving a huge gap. Within days we launched #COVID19 Emergency School Meal Delivery to address hunger for kids #WomensCareerChat https://t.co/y2ZcdNAjRU
— Alexis Glick (@AlexisGlick) March 30, 2021
On resiliency, and the future of work.
Key learnings: 1. It IS possible to work from home; 2. Resilience and agility are critical for survival; 3. Communication is more important than ever; 4. Empathy may be the most underrated leadership characteristic. https://t.co/NwevrHr7H0#WomensCareerChat https://t.co/GSQWVG7Wko
— JVB (@JenVanBus) March 30, 2021
The world of work has changed & it’s not going back. From here, we will build a new model of work, and my hope is that we will take the learnings from 2020 with us as we do so (& as a parent of 2 kids under 4, I will never take the office for granted again)(1/2) #WomensCareerChat https://t.co/MNas3V9bnY
— Alexandra Cavoulacos (@acav) March 30, 2021
I have learned the true definition of an emergency. I have learned to laugh more and worry less. I have been reminded of my humanness and the need to listen, understand, and forgive faster. Work is just one piece of this beautiful life. #WomensCareerChat #LifeatATT #ATTBusiness https://t.co/IauD3ZY2bl
— Emily Wiper (@emilywiper) March 30, 2021
Resiliency is important in your career AND for life in general. Focus on the things you CAN control, even when circumstances arise that are out of your control. You can learn to be more resilient. Don’t judge others because we all cope differently. #WomensCareerChat https://t.co/bb66iuQG9W
— BJ Webb (@BJWebb4) March 30, 2021
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