We’ve using a lot of new technology. After many months, the work from home routine is familiar, alternate days at the dining room table and office desk in my case. We’re learning to interface with little images of colleagues, co-workers, friends, and associates on the computer screen and I’m trying not to overthink how my face looks on the monitor. We’re figuring out how to separate work life from home life since everything happens in same place, all day, every day. We seem to be managing.
But, how are you managing during the pandemic?
Leading your team and getting projects done? This was a such a sudden, major, seismic shift and we all had to adapt quickly. We’re holding daily, weekly team virtual check-ins, personal phone calls and team chats. We’re finding alternate ways to team-build and reinforce office culture with virtual happy hours and socially distant in-person activities. We figured out how best to deal with staff and they figured out how best to deal with us and we learned some key things about how to manage.
Be available. Let your team know the best way to reach you. Be accessible and willing to adapt to alternate schedules. Be consistent scheduling regular meetings so the team can plan accordingly – having structure is necessary, especially right now.
Be flexible. Make sure everyone understands what needs to be done and be okay with how team members do it – does it matter that someone works best from 6pm to midnight? Be honest about expectations but understand everyone is struggling with different issues and needs the ability to arrange their work/home life accordingly.
Set boundaries. You need to get work done too so make sure you aren’t sacrificing your own productivity. Don’t be afraid to set “do not disturb” on your phone and email. Schedule regular blocks of time each day when you need to work and make sure your team knows and respects that schedule.
Managing up. Take cues from your team in the best way to interact with your boss. How did they reach out to you? How did you establish the best lines of communication? Use the same strategies to develop a working relationship with your manager and don’t be afraid to have a conversation about what you need to get the work done.
Let’s be honest, managing was hard before and managing during a pandemic is even harder - that’s why it’s called “work” from home. All of us will glad to see 2020 in the rear-view mirror but we have the tools we need, we know how to lead productive teams, and we will just keep moving forward.
We’re going to manage just fine.