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Coping with Covid

russell3241

Updated: Dec 13, 2020

Covid has had an impact on all of us. However, it is likely to be with us for a while so we need to work with it.


We need to embrace remote working and video calls. Whilst video call fatigue is definitely an issue, there are also numerous advantages in conducting meetings remotely. Not least, the amount of time saved travelling to see clients and also the benefits to the environment.


However, there are undoubtedly negatives with this new way of working. It is much harder to develop good solid relationships with clients remotely. It is also more challenging to maintain morale and focus among staff. This is a particular issue with younger team members who may be used to and embrace a sociable workplace. There are some practical steps you can take:


Set clear expectations

A flexible schedule is an advantage for remote employees, but if you need your workforce responsive and engaged during certain hours, communicate that expectation clearly. Encourage employees to allocate and calendar time when they’ll be online and available.

Periodically check in to ensure schedules align with any persistent challenges like time zone differences or client needs. If your team has critical commitments such as team or department meetings, hold employees accountable for attending and follow up on absences.


Stay connected and communicate

Collaboration is a crucial ingredient of a successful team, but you can’t communicate effectively with employees who aren’t connected. Make sure your team has the right tools for the job, including internet access and potentially a company mobile for employees whose responsiveness is valuable to your organisation.

Establish regular check-in calls to help your remote workforce feel included, but also encourage the use of platforms for instant messaging and chat that allow informal conversations between colleagues to flourish.

Pick up the phone when you can, especially for situations which might be emotionally charged or stressful. Your tone of voice is a much better communicator of emotion than email. It’s also time to practice and get comfortable with your onscreen presence because video calls and virtual meetings are a telecommuting necessity.

Foster a growth mindset

Even if you have an incredibly talented team with a dazzling skill set, they still need to stay challenged. One way managers can motivate a remote workforce is by focusing on both personal improvement and performance goals.

This approach relies on a growth mindset and it encompasses the idea that no matter where you are in your career, from the front lines of service to executive leadership, you always have room to stretch for more. As a manager, when you focus your team on their potential and not just their performance, it opens both yourself and your remote workforce up to new opportunities.

Part of a growth mindset, however, is also embracing failure as a learning experience. When we operate within our comfort zone, we usually succeed at what we’re already good at and fail to widen our skillset. Managers should support team members who take risks to stretch their confidence and grow professionally.

Manage accomplishments, not activity

Working from home can be a distraction for some, but micromanaging seat time is one of the least effective ways to keep your remote workforce on task. Instead, zero in on whether your employees are meeting collective and personal performance goals.

Encouraging achievement through accomplishment rather than emphasising activity is vital, and it keeps the spotlight where it belongs—on the contributions your team makes to a successful, thriving business.

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