What do you identify as a “good day?”

Victorians may have slightly differing views at the moment because many of us are even more aware of and grateful for the small things, if we can see a little light at the end of the tunnel.

But in the past few weeks I provided referees for two excellent people who were ultimately offered roles. Happy dance.

Last week I offered a few tips and tricks to someone who wasn’t loving the thought of entering LinkedIn land; and they’re giving it a go in their own style and own way.

A few weeks before, I organised an online “Sip and Stretch” class for my team – basically what it says on the box (and yes, wine if you so choose, is involved).

In return I’ve gotten to just feel nice (oh, and drink). Remember feeling nice? Warm fuzzies on the inside?

Sounds self-serving eh? Don’t care. I’m far away from the people I work with and for, and am remembering the joy of connections – and offering a hand to – those broader than my current Zoom circle and lockdown bubble.

Last week I flippantly said to someone “honestly, if you have to do a pandemic, this is the team you want to do it with”. And I laughed.

Then I stopped. Because hells yeah, I’ve been through a pandemic with the best bunch of people around.

I’ve worked with Brimbank City Council for more than 12 months. For about half that time I’ve talked to my team on Zoom as we’ve navigated crisis, advocacy, staff and community communications required in a diverse and COVID19-prone municipality.

A skilled, dedicated, multi-disciplined team that has shifted and morphed and grown through crisis with smiles and tired faces.

Together we’ve onboarded new team members in circumstances far more challenging than just starting a new job. Hello lockdown life, remote schooling, opening and closing facilities and public health concerns.

Team building and being a team has taken on new meaning for organisations unfamiliar with remote work and entrenched in physically turning up every day.

But I can’t be sorry to be in this position. I know my team members better now than I ever would’ve, though I miss their real faces. They know me more than I would’ve allowed under other circumstances.

As a people manager I’ve grown, because of them and this pandemic, and how bloody good is that.