For leaders managing teams remotely – please read!
Leaders all around the world have collectively been catapulted into a new way of leading teams, without too much time to really prepare or grapple with the enormity of what is happening. Some companies have been managing teams remotely for a long time now, for others (majority of companies) the scale at which this is happening is overwhelming.
- The core principles of leadership do not change. Your values as an individual and a company do not change. Now is one of those times where your values will be tested as a leader, how are you going to respond?
- Technology is a wonderful asset but pay attention as to how you are using it. If you are using Zoom (or others), think about how much time you are spending on it. Constant video conferencing can be exhausting and staff may feel they are working longer hours without achieving much.
- Micro managing is telling your staff you don’t trust them. Do you really need to check in every day, twice a day, three times a day? What message do you want to send?
- Allow your staff the time to absorb what is going on in the world. Don’t pretend it is business as usual, there is nothing usual about what is happening. Don’t load up their work schedules to ‘get the most’ out of them at home. Families are experiencing their own challenges in their own way, allow them the time and space to work through it.
- Show genuine care for your staff with a ‘people before profits’ mindset. What is the first question you ask your staff when you call them regarding work? What is the first topic of conversation during your Zoom meetings? Are you listening to what your staff are saying?
- As a leader it is ok to feel overwhelmed, scared, anxious and nervous in these uncertain times. We try to be brave for our teams but our inner monologue can be very different to our projected confidence. It is a time for us to be honest with how we are feeling while also providing a pathway forward for those that we lead.
- Ensure there is clarity in your communications including clear expectations of your staff during this time.
- There is no ‘one size fits all’ management approach in the office, so why would you have one working remotely. Find out what your staff need from you in this time, how they would like to work and what keeps them motivated.
- Your emotional intelligence is now more important than ever. How are you controlling your emotions? How are your emotions and behaviour affecting others? Are you projecting the right amount of optimism? Are you showing empathy? Are you adapting to change?
- Pay attention to the staff that naturally step up and rise to the occasion, these will be your next leaders!
