Set weekly priorities
Ensure that alignment and productivity remain consistent when working remotely by setting clear, tangible priorities for yourself and the team. Set at the same time every week and be sure to encompass the entire team. Have a team catch up whereby everyone feeds back what their priorities are for the week and where they need support and from whom. Be sure to challenge if you feel they are not focusing on the right priority.
Set meetings with purpose
Working remotely serves as an important reminder of the simple things we take for granted, like walking over to your team member’s desk to ask a question. With this important form of communication missing, it will be tempting for some organisations to attempt to fill this gap by having more meetings than usual. Endeavour to have meetings with a distinct purpose. What meetings are going to support the achievement of the priorities and what questions could be answered by a quick ad-hoc call.
Choose video calls over audio
Video calling through Zoom, Microsoft Teams, Facetime, Skype or other means is the closest you will get to a face to face exchange and will allow you and your team to continue collaborating on an efficient level. Most communication is known to happen via subtle non-verbal cues like facial expressions and gestures. Omitting these will increase the chance of misunderstandings. Videos also ensure that you and your team members are fully focused and fully attentive to the conversation.
Gossip success
During this period of physical isolation and uncertainty, focusing on individual and team achievements is critical to boost morale and give a sense of direction. Block out 20 minutes every other week where you and your team take time to share Gossip Success about their achievements.
Be a leader, manager and coach
Leading through change and uncertainty requires you to step-up as a leader. It’s more important than ever to bring reassurance, clarity and direction. Additionally, ensure that you are coaching your direct reports who may be experiencing concerns, ill-health, or anxiety. Schedule a call with a different direct report each day. Check-in on their physical and mental health. Give them the space to vent, celebrate, raise concerns, or gain clarity!
Organise team socials
Take time for your team to socialise virtually at the end of the week, or even every other week. This builds team unity and also provides a good relief from stress. This could be a virtual coffee break, or ‘after work
drinks’, it just needs to be a time where everyone comes together virtually at the end of the week to chat over their favourite beverage, block out an hour once a week to relax with your team. This may or may not have been a practice in your usual work routine, but it is a higher priority now while working remotely as normal social events are being cancelled.
Weekly round-up
Dedicate time to list out the week’s priorities/outcomes using a collaborative tool like Google Docs. Implement each team member’s individual weekly priorities into this. Keep this updated throughout the week to ensure that everyone is on the same page.