Workers are functioning in a hybrid mode currently. What that means is they are in the office for a % of time and working from home the rest of the time.
How do you stay connected with those individuals? How do you assist them in their development? How do show them you care? How do you help them manage their expectations while at the same time ensuring they are doing what you need to be completed plus helping the company succeed?
Ugh, I am tired just thinking about all the leader has to do to keep the team together.
I guess you could say that is why the leader is in that situation. They have earned the right to be in that position.
However, the stage is very different this time. Everything is different. People are not as excited to go to work much less do the work. Your staff feels isolated from working at home the majority of the past 2+ years.
What can you as a leader do to help them reengage?
I believe now more than ever you need to connect with your team. I feel the #1 quality that is needed is empathy. A leader needs to empathize with their team’s plight. Be vulnerable and share with them you are encountering the same feelings as them. Guide them through what you have done to get back on course. Be specific too.
People will feel connected with you based on your emotional connection with them.
Now, the question is what vehicle do you use to ensure people begin to go back to where they were heading previously. Moving in the right direction…. FORWARD!💪
Should I write these thoughts down and send it to the team? Should I have a zoom call and explain my feelings and thoughts on the screen? How about a mandatory meeting in the office? Maybe an offsite get together?
All good ideas.👍
I am a huge proponent of video thus I would make that an integral part of the plan.
My solution would begin with a video interview where the leader responds to common questions my team would be dealing with. I would then explain the issues I am dealing with and integrate some solutions that have worked for me. The outcome would be that we would all be in the same place and everyone would have a couple of ideas to move ahead. As the saying goes we are much stronger together.
I would also remind everyone of the company culture and how important that is to who we are as part of that culture.
I would send this interview out to everyone on my team. They now have something concrete with which they can hear and see to remind them we are all in this as one. This is something they can share at home to reaffirm they are working with the right company that has similar qualities to them.
I would also set up a simple offsite get together where a diverse group of people in different positions would speak about their dreams and how they want the company to help them attain their goals. Getting everyone together would be a new beginning for progress as a team and by having other people express their ambitions the focus would be on tomorrow versus the past or even today.
This combination of mixing thinking with actions gets everyone moving with their heart and mind. Feelings and thoughts are a powerful combination for any leader who wants to grow together with their team. By envisioning a compelling future together, we can be more motivated to work through the tougher days and it is always easier knowing that we are not doing it alone.
Here’s hoping the leader in you is open to sharing your feelings and ready to help others in a new way.
Please share with me any creative ideas you have used to lead.
