The Positive impact of the pandemic

We are reaching the one-year mark where most people in the US experienced the first COVID-19 related shutdown.  At that time, many believed it would be a temporary adjustment, and then we would get back to normal. It turns out we were way off base with that prediction.

Over the last year, we have gone through an evolution in how we work, how we communicate, and perhaps a re-evaluation of our priorities.  The pandemic forced companies to implement new working models across all sectors and industries.  The technology sector was the quickest to adapt, but traditional manufacturing and farming sectors also implemented transformative practices. Many of these practices have proven beneficial and will remain in place after the pandemic has passed.

One change I've noticed in social forums is an increased focus on engaging in conversations and creating meaningful connections. Content is less one-directional -- talking at you -- and more bi-directional -- talking with you.  I enjoy the perspective of building a relationship with people I may not have had the opportunity to engage with in the past.  While interacting beyond our geographic area was possible, we tended to focus on our immediate circle. Specifically, as physical location becomes less important in the technology industry, we will benefit from a global workforce.
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What positive changes have you seen as a result of the challenges of the last year?  What are you happy to leave behind?  What are you looking forward to in the future?