7 Strategies to Deal with the Zoom Boom
One of the major changes I have to navigate during this tumultuous season deals with my profession during the Covid-19 pandemic.
I do not have much social media experience (I am a Gen Xers – my youngest son once called me a technological Flintstone) and this professional transition to online contact only, I must admit is very daunting. I had to learn how to pivot to a new-to-me platform called Zoom to facilitate the trainings and seminars that I was leading.
My transition to teaching virtually was a way of survival. My coach once told me that in times of crisis we either Crash, Cope or Change. I want to share with you my personal Zoom transition journey and the seven strategies that you can implement as you face change.
Begin with your mindset. The way we see and interpret people and events, which is often controlled by our Self talk. I found myself having an abundance of internal negative dialogue: “I can’t do this!”, “I don’t know how to use this,” “This will never work,” “This is way too complicated.” However, I deliberately began a mental shift stating things like. “You can do it,” “You can learn new things,” “You will be better because of this,” and forced myself to believe them. This takes time.
Build capacity. As the transition unfolded, some organizations that I work with began to offer training on the Zoom platform. A moment of fear and anxiety became a moment of growth and excitement as I used the new tools that were given to me. Soon, I realized that by embracing this change and this platform, I had opened up the possibility to teach anywhere in the world. I was no longer limited geographically. Building capacity leads to new opportunities.
Be open to rearrangement. I started with my living space. I designated an area to become my home office (literally almost next to the stove – I know not ideal). I bought a new table to allow me to sit comfortably as I taught. I had to update some of my equipment. I purchased Airpods to hear better, a second screen to improve my teaching delivery and created new routines to help me facilitate my classes better. This new arrangement feels uncomfortable. Yet, sometimes discomfort is the price of growth. I once heard a pastor say,” “Disruption does not necessarily mean destruction.” This disruption has propelled me to innovate.
Bring in the new normal. We define normal as the things we usually or typically do. However, as we are stretched, typical things might become obsolete or incomplete. During this period, we have to allow ourselves to reframe our perspective and realign our priorities. My normal was in person training and coaching. However, the current circumstances asked me to consider and implement the latest, virtual and distant learning platforms that allowed me to continue to do what I do best. Zoom became part of my new normal. As I allowed myself to stretch, soon these new things (programs, patterns, behaviors) became the new expected way to operate. In doing so, I became more comfortable and stopped wrestling with change and welcomed it.
Become more self-aware. My mentor once told me, “you have to know yourself to grow yourself.” In times of change seek to identify your strengths and areas where you need improvement. In my case, I knew communicating was my strength and all though my technological skills were not as strong as I would want them to be, I could learn the systems in order to enhance my abilities. So I allowed myself to be taught new concepts, I asked many questions and put to practice what I was learning. We must be willing to ask for assistance when we need it and remain teachable. Growth does not happen automatically.
Be gracious. We will have to extend grace to one another and ourselves as we are learning. Sometimes we will blow it and we will need multiple opportunities to improve. Allow do overs. As we learn and grow, let us share our knowledge and experience with others. It has taken me some time, but I find myself becoming more familiar and comfortable with Zoom. What for me began as a murky future, where I questioned my abilities and capabilities, evolved into a growth opportunity. When applying new skills, we will often fail a few times before we get it right. Mistakes make us feel vulnerable yet they are part of reaching the end goal, which is change.
Believe. I am looking forward to what lies ahead. No one can predict the future yet we can decide how we plan to face it. I invite you to welcome change. Believe in yourself. Allow yourself to stretch and celebrate the victory of growth. In the journey, seek opportunities to add value to those around you. And do not forget, in the middle of those moments that might feel like a drought, whatever you are learning, share it and pay it forward. Do not be a reservoir, be a flowing river!
Leadership is for ALL: Leadership is about stretching not shrinking.