Since the start of the pandemic, many of us have been stressed out with the changes given the quarantine guidelines. Working from home has been affecting our physical and mental health in more ways than one. Our productivity at work has also been greatly affected by the change in circumstances. These are not normal times, and employers should recognize this shift in work dynamics to help their workforce accordingly.
These days, apart from adapting to the shift in the business landscape, employers should also find ways to help their employees adapt to the change in work setup. While it is the employers’ responsibility to find effective stress-busters for employees, they should also open the conversation for suggestions from the workforce.
Managing people remotely during a pandemic can get ugly and stressful. This is why both employees and employers must find appropriate methods for relieving stress during these challenging times. Working from home can sometimes leave individuals with extra time in their hands. Free online brain training games can keep your team productively preoccupied in their extra time.
The Reality of Management
Leading a productive workforce while working from home during a global health crisis can be a challenge. There might be big expectations from your employees on how you should handle this difficult situation, which could lead you to burnout and frustration. Sometimes, employees don’t realize that employers are also human. Nevertheless, you should do everything in your capacity to provide what is best for your team.
You may have the leadership skills, but this crisis has caught everyone off guard. It is normal for leaders to feel lost during this time. Given this, here are management tips you can apply in your company’s remote work setup.
While micromanaging might not be your style and it could get irritating for other employees, scheduling a regular check-in might be necessary given the situation. A remote work setup is a difficult situation, and major adjustments in communication are required to maintain good team relationships. Use video conferencing tools to check up on your employees, whether regarding their work performance or well-being.
Establish rules of engagement early on with your team so that everyone is aligned with the modes of communication. This will allow a smoother workflow for your employees because they can allocate enough time for their work and the scheduled communication with the team.
As a leader, you should manage your expectations regarding your team’s output. You should clearly establish expected deliverables and adjust according to your team’s situation. Since everyone is working from home, every household is dealing with a different scenario. Make sure you consider your team’s setup at home as well.
Provide adequate resources for your team, especially during this time. If your company can provide, it’s best to lend laptops, a stable internet connection, and other technology needed to get the job done. Not all employees have the luxury of these devices and resources. Try to provide what your employees need so that they can better focus on the tasks at hand.
In line with this, consider being more flexible with your employees. Although your team has a lot going on in their lives, this is not an excuse for them to slack off. Being flexible only means giving them the flexibility to schedule their time and trusting them to continue getting the work done.
Being transparent with your team is the key to maintaining open communication and understanding with your workforce. Doing so will allow you to work more efficiently and with compassion during this difficult time. It could ease the tension and stress from your and your employees’ everyday struggles.
Self-care for Leaders
While it’s important to be flexible and understanding toward your team, you should also remember to take care of yourself. As a leader, you can’t let your guard down when it comes to physical and mental health. Keep yourself healthy to be able to continue accomplishing tasks despite the situation.
Remember the importance of having a work-life balance for you and your team. Be an advocate of family time and alone time, especially during this pandemic. Individuals need to care for themselves because these are stressful times. The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on everyone’s systems, so physical and mental health should not be taken lightly.
Despite the change in the business landscape and our current everyday lifestyle, don’t let this pandemic hit you high and dry. There are a lot of people rooting for you to succeed during this time. As a leader, keep your team’s morale up by being their role model for the ideal work-life balance.
