As we’ve learned in the last few months because of COVID-19, we don’t always get to choose our circumstances. But we do get to figure out how we respond.
Pivoting to a work-from-home routine—whether planned in advance or under the duress of a global health concern—should have everyone thinking about what they can do to better engage with and contribute to their teams. For starters, it helps adopting these five leadership tips:
1. Over communicate: Sheltering in place—and having nowhere to go and fewer ways to interact—compounds the sense of isolation. At minimum, set up daily huddles. Also keep in mind that “hearing nothing” can be a source of anxiety of its own, so find opportunities to let people know you’re thinking about them even if it’s a simple hello. Supporting others and feeling support are vital for all high-functioning teams. Those who would’ve been feeling out of the loop before COVID-19 are going to be even more prone to the challenges of working apart.
2. Set guidelines: Set clear work goals and specify the deliverables. If you’re the leader, be sure to divide tasks or jobs evenly. Specify how often people should be checking in or communicating next steps; setting guidelines for something as simple as virtual etiquette can help bring people together.
3. Spread empathy: Be kind and be patient. In broader terms, be a safe zone for people to want to share. There’s always a time to keep things light-hearted. According to a 2017 work-from-home study from the Academy of Management: “It becomes more important to determine what factors are needed for an individual worker to be successful in a virtual work environment.”
4. Foster trust: Connect with each remote worker to discover what working remotely looks like to them, and what would help them be more successful. How one individual defines success may be very different from someone else. This open dialogue and exercise in listening are a great way to further communication and trust.
5. Heighten involvement: With everyone working apart, it becomes even more important to ensure that you’re accessible and everyone is working from the same information—especially if the team is depending on you for the “source of truth.” Be present for your staff virtually or otherwise. If you’re the point person, organization support needs to come from and be demonstrated by you.
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