Staying Productive, Collaborative, and Positive While at the Office and Working Remotely

“The ability of adapting to change is what will make you successful and give you happiness”

-Hanif Raah

This industry is sacred. Home is the center of our everyday lives, and we are here to serve others around that premise. Nobody wants to go back to the reputation of the industry the way it was back in 2008. Having survived and thrived since then, I know enough to look at what’s in front of us and have a good idea of steps to take to face the challenges ahead.

To many people, Home is still thought of as a central gathering place. It’s regarded as a place to rest and have fun. It’s a refuge, not a place to work. With the need to work remotely increasing dramatically throughout many businesses around the country, business leaders have got to remember to keep it light, keep it flexible, have the right mindset, and give their team time to adjust. Times of transition are rarely smooth, but they always provide opportunities for success if you remain focused on the right things.

Whatever the future holds, focus on unity and collaboration.

Work to put others first. Our mentality needs to be based on What is the Right Thing? What is in the community's best interest? Show that you are prepared and dedicated to overcoming adversity. Show that you are not perfect and, while you are going to make mistakes, you are just as dedicated to learning from those mistakes. Show it in your actions and lead others to do the same.

Now, more than ever we need to give credit to the people who add ideas to the collective. Leaders need to be there for their teams by listening & supporting them with flexibility, empathy & compassion.

Over-communicate and Over-deliver.

Make sure your team stays in touch with each other beyond what's necessary to get the job done. You want a consistently productive exchange of questions and feedback. Show your fundamental beliefs through your actions and through making conscious, collaborative decisions.

Leadership is like parenting- when somebody compliments my leadership it reminds me of people complimenting me on showing up for my kids - I’m a Leader, that is what we are supposed to be doing. We don’t deserve a pat on the back for it. We just do it. We are here to coach, mentor, support, educate, and achieve. 

Keep it light. 

Whether in the office or on Google Hangout/ Zoom calls, it’s important to foster and maintain team morale. There are many things you can do within teams to keep people feeling positive and engaged. Share news and stories on social media or even just within your team chat. Some companies hold photo contests, talent shows, team challenges etc... Team building, camaraderie, and friendly competition all help foster a supportive environment where people have the freedom to grow, take risks, and seek opportunities, which all comes back to benefit the whole group.

Empower others. 

Life has taught me that leadership is about giving others tools for success. Set them up for success and the whole group benefits. Leaders need to stay positive and keep moving forward. The question is not How did we get here? It’s How do we move forward and focus on opportunities ahead?

Gary Vaynerchuk said it perfectly- “When you’re a leader, you’re at the bottom”. You are thinking in the best interest of everybody else. Your sense of responsibility to others is something that drives success.

Above all, strong leadership is intentional and collaborative. Share the parts of us that are the same so we can embrace the differences and move forward. Work together, solve together, achieve together and succeed together. Even when we are working remotely.

-Eddy Perez, CMB - President, Equity Prime Mortgage visit my VLOG at www.eddygperezjr.com