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2020 has been the year of change. Since March our way of conducting business has been altered dramatically. We no longer conduct in-person meetings but have Zoom sessions. We no longer have the in-person interaction that is so vital to our industry. We can spend hours talking about the negatives or we can face this change head on. Whether we like it or not, we are being forced to change our game plan. With the new reality of remote working, communication has been crucial for businesses’ survival. It is not only the words that effect the way we communicate, but the decisions we make. As the world continues to adjust, we need to consider how this change is bearing on our co-workers and our clients.  

The main take away from today’s article is the key to communication. As remote work environments became more of the standard, a rise in miscommunication followed suit. We need to ask ourselves, what causes misinformation? It can come from a plethora of factors, whether it be the inability to focus on work when at home, to not checking emails, to over talking in Zoom meetings. No matter what the case is, companies need to realize everyone is adjusting to this new profound change. This brings to the forefront that our actions speak louder than words. People will not remember what you say – but they will remember how they were treated. 

As Aesop said, “When all is said and done, more is said than done.” To prevent more being said than done, track your actions by having a say/do ratio. By keeping your word, you build trust amongst your team.  

We tend to communicate based upon our own needs. Yet, we find it challenging to work with others who communicate differently than us. Some questions to have your team ask/practice are: 

1. When communicating with those who are different from me, I should remember: 
2. Think of someone you collaborate with closely/often. How should I communicate differently with them? 
3. The best way to work with me is: 

Having your team do a Kolbe Report can help show how your team can function during these unprecedented times. Sudden change, like we endured back in March, may cause us to change our natural ways to act. 

With the Zoom-era in full swing, a healthy team requires you to be vulnerable, to share how you are feeling, be real with your team, and to act on what you say. One thing we tend to forget is that we are all human. The human element is vital during these times. People want to know that everything is going to be okay, we need to be able to trust each other. Having a team one can depend on can boost productivity and allows for clear transparency that prevents miscommunication.  

Understand that in times of stress and fear, people divert back to their instincts. An issue that has become prevalent during the pandemic is employees’ fear of failure due to being overworked and fear of losing their job. A cycle which starts at fear, then conspires to frustration, wasted time, wasted energy, and finally fatigue. Pushing people to give their all during a time of stress and fear of the unknown will not deliver the results you are expecting. Remember, the human element is essential for these times. Instead of expecting a perfect project, expect a completed project. By acknowledging their accomplishments of projects and tasks, you will help them adjust to their new way of life, allowing for things to get back on track. 

In the end, we need to remember in times of stress and change, we need greater team collaboration. Make sure to track your say/do ratio to increase trust and because of these stressful times, remember to take a time out, take a walk and clear your mind. Last by not least remember that change is not good nor bad, it simply is. It is your mindset that determines your outlook on the future. 

What have you been paying attention to lately? No matter where you look, you can quickly be overwhelmed with information about politics, COVID-19, systemic racism, or the many other hot topics of today. Do not worry, this is not a political piece, this article is about where your attention lies. 

Many people have endured major shifts in their daily lives through occupational changes because of the pandemic. A lot of those people now work virtually and are balancing work/home life.  On top of that, the recent shift in how we work, shop, vacation or “go out for date night” has also changed like never before. Now more than ever, people are online. I often find myself checking websites for updated hours, posts, etc.  

But let’s go back to what I started this article with and reflect on where your attention has been. I encourage you to make sure whatever you endure during the pandemic, that it impacts you in the right way.  Do not let the bad of every situation take over. John C. Maxwell beautifully said, “Nobody can motivate himself in a positive direction by continually using negative words.”   

Most likely, as business owners your lives have been directly impacted by COVID-19, but stop and think, what about COVID-19 has your attention? Is it negativity, science, anxiety, perseverance?  We always save the best for last.  

Perseverance is not a one size fits all approach. Outside of determination & hard work, perseverance looks different with every situation. Take the consistencies (determination & hard work) and morph them into a system of survival. What can you do to become Determined and not Distracted? Sitting around and worrying about what’s next is not going to progress anyone forward, we need to adapt and learn to overcome any obstacles that may come our way. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic caused most companies to transition into an online structure, rather than primarily face-to-face. Some industries, like Elder Law and Estate Planning never imagined a day where they would need to conduct their business fully online. 

We need to remember that change is neither good nor bad, it simply is. It will happen whether we like it or not. The team at MDS is dedicated to helping you adapt to the change. We have put together materials to help your firm with marketing campaigns, how to manage a virtual team and offers weekly calls focused on Advancing Forward amid the pandemic. We encourage you to stop the noise, reflect on where you are at right now, decide where you want to be and dedicate time to focus on getting there. 

Dedicated to Your Success, 

One of the most overlooked focuses in our industry is a Dementia-Focused Practice. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it is believed that more than 9 million Americans live with some form of dementia. Now, you may be asking yourself, why should someone enter this field of law? To cut it short, dementia waits for no one. It does not discriminate based on sexual orientation, religion or socio-economic status. If you were to combine all forms of Dementia, the disease would be the third leading cause of death behind heart disease and stroke, in high-income countries.  

You may be thinking, yeah dementia affects millions every year, but why should dementia planning be treated any different than planning for anyone’s final chapter?  The answer is the sheer number and extent of challenges facing the person suffering from dementia. Depending on the stage of the disease, families and caregivers; their professional advisors, such as their attorney, are sobering.  

There are many decisions an individual makes when preparing for the final chapter of their life. If you add dementia into the mix, these decisions and the weight that comes with them can be overwhelming. This is where the Dementia-Focused Practice comes in! 

In terms of a Dementia-Focused Practice, the question isn’t: “What happens when someone dies?”, it is “What happens if they do not die and need long-term care?”. Depending on the diagnosis, the care and decisions being made can look incredibly different. Everyone throughout all levels of the practice is dedicated to helping persons with dementia and their loved ones navigate through all stages of the disease process. An person working in this focus will ensure the client and family have access to appropriate legal services, medical services, social services, and support. 

A firm who specializes with clients who have dementia need to make sure their practice is physical designed and decorated to create a comfortable atmosphere. For example, not having an overly busy or cluttered space, such as waiting areas and meeting rooms. Providing employees with easy-to-read name tags and making sure lighting is not too bright or too dim. When interacting with a client who has dementia, it is best to use person-first language. What this means is you need to put the person before their diagnosis. Instead of saying patient or dementia affected, label them as a person with dementia. Describe their care living home as a community rather a facility or nursing home. Would you rather live in a community or a facility? 

When talking to a person with dementia, it is best to play by the 90 Second Rule. It can take up to 90 seconds for a person with dementia to process and respond. Another important note is to make sure the list of resources you give to clients have several dementia-focused resources. If you do not currently have any on your list, now is a great time to create a partnership. There is a plethora of ways your firm can focus on dementia, whether it be personalized written care plans, dementia-focused coordination and dementia-focused management. It is helpful to have dementia-focused staff dedicated to these disciplines when offering such services! 

Remember in the end, it’s not just that Dementia-Focused Practices want to help clients be prepared for a possible diagnosis. These practitioners truly see the need for people with dementia to have some form of relief knowing that they are prepared, if the day comes.