How can you develop leadership skills while working from home?

1 Set clear goals and expectations

One of the key aspects of leadership is having a clear vision of what you want to achieve and how you will measure your progress. When you work from home, you need to communicate your goals and expectations to your team, clients, and managers effectively and regularly. Use online tools and platforms to share your plans, milestones, feedback, and results. Align your goals with the overall objectives and values of your organization and show how your work contributes to them. Be proactive, flexible, and adaptable to changing situations and needs.

2 Build trust and rapport

Another essential skill for leaders is building trust and rapport with others. When you work from home, you may have less opportunities to interact with your team, clients, and managers face-to-face, but you can still foster strong relationships by using various channels and methods. For example, you can use video calls, phone calls, emails, chats, and social media to communicate regularly, openly, and respectfully. You can also use these tools to show appreciation, recognition, and support to your colleagues and partners. Be honest, transparent, and consistent in your actions and words.

3 Seek feedback and learning opportunities

Leaders are always looking for ways to improve themselves and their performance. When you work from home, you may have less access to formal training and coaching programs, but you can still seek feedback and learning opportunities from different sources. For instance, you can ask for constructive feedback from your team, clients, and managers on your work and skills. You can also use online courses, webinars, podcasts, books, and articles to learn new skills and knowledge related to IT sales. You can also join online communities and networks to exchange ideas and best practices with other professionals in your field.

4 Show initiative and creativity

Leaders are not afraid to take initiative and try new things. When you work from home, you may have more autonomy and flexibility to experiment with different approaches and solutions to IT sales challenges. You can use your initiative and creativity to find new ways to generate leads, close deals, solve problems, and deliver value to your clients. You can also use your initiative and creativity to propose and implement new projects, processes, or systems that can improve your team's or organization's efficiency and effectiveness.

5 Inspire and motivate others

Leaders are not only focused on their own goals, but also on the goals of their team and organization. When you work from home, you may have less influence and visibility over your team, but you can still inspire and motivate them by setting an example, sharing your vision, and empowering them. You can set an example by demonstrating your commitment, enthusiasm, and professionalism in your work. You can share your vision by articulating your purpose, values, and aspirations. You can empower your team by delegating tasks, providing resources, and encouraging autonomy and collaboration.

6 Develop your communication skills

Leaders are effective communicators who can convey their messages clearly, persuasively, and respectfully. When you work from home, you may have to rely more on written and verbal communication than on non-verbal cues and body language. You may also have to deal with different communication styles, preferences, and cultures. You can develop your communication skills by practicing active listening, asking open-ended questions, using positive and constructive language, and adapting your communication style to your audience and context.