Last week we had the pleasure of hosting our first ever webcast in the wake of the Covid-19 restrictions that came into place around the world.
We had so many friends who wanted to join in the live broadcast but couldn’t, so we’re taking the opportunity to post the entire webcast here for your viewing. We had some great questions, and it was a privilege to be able to share our tips and best practices for running a team (successfully!) on a remote basis. It can be a challenge, but with the right attitude and communication practices, it’s very possible to stay productive and moving forward without your team in the same room.
Here’s our top 5 tips for working from home, and for more info, check the full presentation below:
- The home office starts in your mind
Not all of us have the luxury of a separate room for our workspace. What’s important is to set your mind in “work mode”, whether you’re set up in the basement, garage, kitchen table or bedroom. You have to tell yourself that you’re working, but at home. Not at home, but also working. There is a difference. - Communication is KEY
For both leaders and team members, adjustments are required for communication. You’re not going to be face to face to read their expressions, or tone of voice. Work on your communication techniques, stay in touch, give regular updates and be responsive. - Face to face > Voice call
Our team are huge believers in video calls for a reason. It keeps you more engaged in meetings, it keeps you a little more honest, and you’re less inclined to drift off while others are talking. Get past the fact that your face might look “weird” on a screen, and realize it’s going to help you get more done, better. - Boundaries matter
Again, for both leaders and team members, it’s important to set boundaries. Boundaries around time (what time your team is online and offline), boundaries for communication (can this meeting be an email? Can this email be a DM?), and boundaries for yourself (it’s so easy to get sucked into a work vortex). Boundaries help you and your team from getting burnt out. - Don’t worry about who’s working and who isn’t
Instead, focus on this: is it getting done? The common misconception is that remote teams are full of slackers who are watching tv, running errands or napping throughout the day. Judge your team’s productivity not by who seems to be online the most or the most talkative. Judge it by the deadlines that are met, the responsiveness of teams and leaders, and the quality of the finished product.
If your team would like a coaching session or some tips on running remotely, contact Greg and Lisa anytime. Our brains and skills are open to the world during this trying time.