Patrice Ford Lyn C.P.C
Working remotely is rapidly becoming the new normal across America.
As a CEO, manager, leader how do you support your team to thrive during this time?
1. Basic Change Management Expect a transition period as each person learns how to efficiently communicate and work remotely. Provide technology, systems, processes, and policies that help your team to adapt (Don't do this in isolation. Set up a transition team with employees at all levels so that you get a diversity of perspectives on their needs and challenges).
2. The Concerns of your Team have Multiplied Your team has concerns far greater than the next conference call. Some are not feeling well or taking care of loved ones who don’t feel well without knowing what their illness means. Others are preoccupied with loved ones in various countries and friends who have been told they are exposed to COVID-19. They may want to travel to be with family and are weighing the pros and cons. Others are figuring out how to organize children who are now either out of school or remote schooling. Yes, work continues but extend grace as each person figures out how to adapt to their new normal. People are still figuring out how to stay healthy, feed their families, and be in community. There is likely a heightened degree of uncertainty and anxiety around how they will go about life.
3. Job Security Some will also be worried about what this change means for the stability of their employment. Where appropriate and possible, talk to your team about how this change is impacting the company and their role in the future of the company. Do some team scenario planning so they understand what the options may be like a month from now and three months from now if we are still “social distancing”.
Bottom line, becoming a more emotionally intelligent leader will go a long way in smoothing the transition, reducing panic and retaining your employees