The coronavirus lockdown has disrupted every aspect of our lives. Many of us are struggling to find our footing in this unfamiliar landscape. How can business leaders help employees while remaining sensitive to the current business environment? Motivating them amidst this uncertainty demands an especially nuanced approach. From insight to flexibility, here are some skills that a must be found in a successful manager’s toolbox.
Insight: The Work, the Worker, or the Workplace?
Remote work often means the absence of an orderly office setting, unenforced working hours, and perhaps a lack of oversight from above. Together, these three factors have the potential to play havoc with the average person’s work ethic.
Communicate with your team to gain insight into the dynamics of their work from home experiences. Some managers discover that technical issues have led to a decline in productivity, or that the chain of command has failed, or even that their own leadership has been lacking. As a manager, the responsibility lies on you to identify why your team is underperforming. Gain that insight and act on it.
Empathy: Check In vs. Check On
The search for insight into a problem is rarely a pleasant one; you are likely to uncover facts and perspectives that are uncomfortable. Human instinct is to forgive ourselves and perhaps blame others. These situations should be approached with empathy, instead.
Use regular meetings to build a meaningful distance working relationship with your team. Infuse your interactions with positivity and appreciation. You want to emphasize that you are not looking over their shoulder but rather standing shoulder to shoulder with them.
We are fortunate in that technology allows us to have high-quality video meetings, where we can express ourselves adequately with tone, facial expressions, and body language. Let your empathy show.
Accountability: You, Me & We
Checking in with your team is part of holding individuals accountable, and that includes holding yourself to account, too. Highlight the importance of each person’s role within the team at group meetings and in one-on-one conversations. Stress on its value and also on the interdependent nature of the work ecosystem.
However, when issues do arise, address the root cause without focusing on the individual(s) responsible. Establish accountability in a way that reveals the issue without eroding the confidence of a team member. Be a true leader; when your team sees you step up to the plate every time, they will be inspired to do the same.
Flexibility: A Blessing
Flexibility has been forced upon us, true, but every break from the routine and mundane is an opportunity to discover, innovate, and excel. Consider what this departure from the beaten track has taught you and appreciate how you have done so much when limited by such rigid restrictions.
Embrace the flexibility that allows you and your team to continue delivering to your clients and customers even during a pandemic. If you have made things happen now, imagine what this can-do attitude could achieve when things inevitably return to normal.
We are all facing unique challenges today. Please read my articles Get the Most Out of Your Remote Brainstorming Sessions and The Skills Needed to Build a Successful Remote Workforce for more advice.
