A simple action taken now can make a world of difference.
Two months ago, I launched a small study to learn more about how my clients and some former trusted colleagues were leading under pandemic conditions. I asked them specifically about what was working most effectively with their remote teams. The significant and common message in almost every one of their responses: actively demonstrate empathy, compassion and flexibility. These are some very commercial executives and they emphasized understanding and kindness as keys to getting results in the face of great stress on their businesses.
When asking executives, you might expect a high-minded and strategic response. In this case, they agreed on simple action: Just make time to listen.
That was July. Now factor in the difficulty for working parents as they try to navigate the safe return of their children to school. The situation is fluid and there are many approaches. Some schools in my area are meeting in-person (with precautions), others are still 100% remote for all students and there are many flavors of hybrid schemes to reduce the number of students and teachers on site at one time. It is not an easy situation for anyone involved and it is turning up the seemingly relentless stress level on families with working parents.
So, I emphasize the need for leaders of remote teams to take simple action:
- Make dedicated time to listen to each of your team members and see how they are holding up (especially working parents).
- Put it on your calendar this week to check in. Repeat periodically.
- See where your understanding and flexibility can help. This may be just the right time.
- You’ll need a healthy team for sustained performance.
- Act.
- If you are already doing it, good. Keep doing it. Don’t stop. Not yet, anyway….
Love this. Thank you.