Tips for working from home
Working from home. The coronavirus is now forcing people to do so in some countries.
A few months ago, I wrote an article about how to manage / lead a virtual team (for those of you who missed it, here is the link: https://www.dhirubhai.net/pulse/how-manage-lead-virtual-team-virginie-lemay-vriesde/)
With the current situation with the coronavirus, the advice I mentioned in my article is still valid and even more critical.
If you've been managing a team onsite and suddenly, everybody is forced to work from home, you are now dealing with other challenges and another dynamic.
Here are a few more advice I’d like to give in these challenging times.
Keep communication going
In normal circumstances, you hopefully have regular one-on-ones and team meetings with your team members. Now, you’re all working from home and do not see each other. Make sure you keep the communication going. Set up a chat group so that you can greet all your team members every morning and ask how they are doing. You can use this chat for casual conversation or to ask business related questions. You can also use this chat group to ask who needs help and who can help (maybe some team members live in the same area and can help each other with groceries, or taking the dog for a walk). The most important is that your team members still feel they can contact you (or anyone in the team) if they have questions or concerns.
Be flexible
With schools or kindergartens closed for a few weeks, some people will have their children at home. This means they may be struggling attending some conference calls or send certain reports/mails at times previously agreed. Try to show some empathy and be flexible. If they cannot deliver a report by let’s say 10:00 AM, they may be able to deliver it by 14:00. In these exceptional circumstances, show some flexibility and understanding, People are dealing with these issues the best way they can, they will appreciate it if you show some flexibility and allow them to do their job with some changes in their schedule.
Implement virtual ‘breaks’
If you were having some regular coffee breaks with your team members, or if you legally need to provide breaks to your team members, why not use this 5/10/15 minutes break to meet virtually? Have a video conference call or use the chat group I mentioned earlier to give people the opportunity to speak about anything but work. Try to bring some fun. Share something funny you saw on the internet (a picture, a small video etc.) and encourage everyone in your team to do the same. This will help you all relax a bit and recharge your batteries.
Remember
This situation is unprecedented. This represents a change for everybody. It is a change for you, as a manager but also to your team members. Everybody deals with change in different ways. Everybody has to adapt to this new situation, even if it is for a short period of time.
Make sure you are all supporting each other, that you show empathy and understanding.
Like I always say:
?????? Together we are stronger ??????
#vlvcoach #leadership #management #virtualteams #remoteteams
This article was also published on my website. Here is the link.
Virginie, author of the book "My revenge on life" as well as a coach and trainer specialized in the development of world leaders, is based in Luxembourg. She has more than 20 years of worldwide experience in the management of international and virtual teams. She turns managers into global leaders and helps them Succeed in the Adventures of Leadership and Self Assurance (SALSA ????)
Virginie is available to lead team workshops, give training and speak at global leadership conferences.
#otherside
5 年Sounds good. But if you think of about country like India it's little bit difficult. And more if the answer may be yes from anyone or from more someone is lieing. As mostly in joint family a bit more of difficult .If you can take a statistical report on the productivity of the employer by the employee true will emerge. But in one-way if it's materialised in true some it's a win to the industry as they can continue not fully but partially in normalcy period a huge save even it carry itself lesser than the work at office because of a impact in indirectly in the environment. As of now being in the initial stage ... being in the first time better the employer showing some leniency in expectation of return from the employee as also supported with a reward like will motivate the employee means in future it is worth to have added benefit to the employer. As mostly with a experience of forget the office matters on getting relieved from the office in mind the one which will kill the expectations of the employer. How ever in the current scenario if it is worked out....it will be big game changer in working culture. Wellwish to both the employer & employee. #notospread #noworknomove #otherside #othersideotr With regards.
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5 年How useful is your advice about this time where everyone has to work at home. Thanks
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5 年I love it Virginie Lemay-Vriesde
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5 年These are great tips! I think people who aren't used to remote work may also need tips how to minimize distractions, stay focused, and create a productive work environment.
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5 年Thanks for these timely tips!