Work Adaptation: Flexibility and Staff Investments

Course Details

COVID-19 has had a lasting effect on how we conduct business. When the pandemic began, Charlotte, North Carolina, was in the midst of developing its first comprehensive plan since 1975. The city was challenged to adapt its strategies for moving forward, engaging the community, and delivering the results envisioned at the onset of the process.

This case study describes how all workshops, community conversations and other engagement strategies occurred in a virtual environment. Presenters share how they worked with a consultant group to make the process seamless, using creative thinking, active listening, and awareness to ensure audiences felt seen and heard without in-person engagement. The presentation highlights how leaders invested – and continue to invest — in staff training; added personality assessments; conducted crucial conversations; and equipped their team with the best tools for success.

Learning Outcomes

• Assess how creative thinking, active listening, and awareness can be used to engage audiences.
• Prioritize program management and know how to pivot.
• Prepare for critical conversations and community involvement to improve processes and outcomes.