Linda Wells

Linda is a workplace trainer. Since COVID-19 happened, she is doing all the training online. The delivery has moved from local to global. Linda's workplace has changed a lot, but its focus has remained the same – real people. Workplace wellbeing is Linda's primary expertise. Rather than focus on profits only – companies are increasingly worried about how well people are. Everyone is the same. All people have strengths and weaknesses. In the pandemic, both strengths and weaknesses have developed and changed. Zoom calls have many advantages but lack real-life engagement. Linda's advice for good wellbeing and remote meeting management is to start meetings later and finish earlier. They are intense enough. Make sure people can have proper breaks between the zoom meetings—many people are in hybrid workplaces. Quite often, we are overwhelmed with constant meetings, kids running around and everyday life going on. However, people are feeling increasingly alone and isolated. The regular water cooler meetings or lunch with work colleagues is not taking place as much anymore. She has found that E-Learning courses are not popular. However, live virtual workshops are much more popular. It is essential to see a face and engage with people via breakout rooms and polls. People want to engage with others and experience humour and human communication. One significant change is that managers and leaders now ask team members how they feel, and they expect a response. In the past, leaders asked this, but it was rhetoric. Another change is the treatment of sick leave. Team members can take sick leave but still be able to complete work as and when they can. The emerging requirements in the hybrid work environment require a much more empathetic leader, someone genuinely interested and concerned in their team members.