Meetings, hallway huddles, and other ways teams commonly work are out the window in the new world of social distancing. Consider these ways to help your teams function when they can’t work shoulder to shoulder:
- Reset Expectations. Change how you expect work to get done and how tasks are accomplished. Focus on results and offer as much flexibility as possible, including extended deadlines.
- Stay in regular touch. Use instant messaging and other tools to enable constant contact and quick response to questions or concerns.
- Support continued learning but keep it short and simple.
- Assign buddies/peer coaches to provide additional support.
- Realize that it’s harder to read emotional cues when you’re communicating remotely. Watch the inflection, pitch, and volume of your voice on calls and gestures and facial expressions in video conferences.
- Model optimism and positivity.
- Update and check-in even when there is no update.
- Continually gauge stress and engagement levels.
