This archive report was first published on 9 May 2020.
When the coronavirus pandemic forced people to work from home, many leaders were skeptical. One CEO told me, 'This is terrible. My people can't work from home.' But I countered, 'You'd better pray they can work from home, because that will be the only game in town for a while.'
As it turned out, most people adapted to the new reality. But not all leaders were equipped to lead their teams effectively in this new environment. In fact, some bosses made things worse by being overly suspicious, sending employees home with inadequate equipment, and expecting them to replicate traditional workplace norms.
But what does it take for teams to thrive in this new environment? I recently met with some of my leadership program alumni to discuss the nature of leadership when people are not in the same room. Here are some key takeaways:
First and foremost, empathy is essential. As a leader, you need to be able to put yourself in your employees' shoes and understand the challenges they face when working from home. This requires having open and honest conversations with your team members and being willing to listen to their concerns.
Secondly, trust is critical. Your team needs to trust you to make decisions that are in their best interests, even when you're not face-to-face. And you need to trust your team members to do their jobs effectively without constant supervision.
Finally, adaptability is key. The digital workplace is different from the traditional office environment, and you need to be willing to think outside the box and try new approaches. This means being flexible with your work norms, knowing when to hold video calls, and understanding the difference between synchronous and asynchronous work.
By following these principles, you may be surprised at how well your team can work from home. And even when we're allowed to return to our offices, we may choose to combine the best of what's physical and digital to make our shared work even better.
