Care, Connect, Communicate
The game of life and work has changed. In this environment, what do you do? How do you continue to ensure employees feel valued, seen and heard, not only for what they do, but also for who they are? As a leader, your role is not only to meet your business objectives, but also create a positive culture; a culture of engaged, motivated employees. You are now faced with navigating a new landscape trying to figure out how to get things accomplished in a very different way, in a very different world. You may be tempted to continue as you have in the past operating effective and efficiently, “business as usual” because that is what you know; but business is anything but usual. Knowing your employees as people; being aware of what is going on in their life and how they are feeling is more important now than ever before. Human connection is key. Below are three simple concepts, along with a few activities, you can incorporate into your leadership practices to help you continue to show employees that you care, and at the same time create a cohesive, connected team.
CARE, CONNECT, COMMUNICATE
Care
Host a video call with all of your team at the beginning of the week : The purpose is for everyone to “check in” to see how each other is doing; how their family is doing; how things are going while “sheltering in place”. This call is NOT ABOUT WORK; it is about listening, personal connection and caring. Doing this as one team will build and enhance relationships and deepen connections.
Send a note to each team member. Let them know what you appreciate about them and how they have positively impacted your life.
Connect
Hold a 10 minute “check-in” meeting with your team to begin and end each day.
Hold virtual “office hours”: Have a set time that you are logged into Zoom, Teams, Hangouts, etc. and provide your team with the link. Invite them to “pop into your office” whenever they want to chat.
Virtual Working Hangout: Schedule time for coworkers to join a virtual meeting space. Individuals work on their own projects, yet feel the presence of each other and can collaborate, ask questions and connect.
Communicate
Create focused objectives for the next couple of months that all can rally around: Communicate the focus to your team and organization. Be clear about what each person needs to know and how they contribute to the focus/purpose.
Communicate with transparency and consistency: Have a specific time each week that employees will hear from you (either written or virtual meeting). Err on side of over communicating. People want and need to hear from you - you are not “bugging” them by communicating with them.
All humans naturally strive for meaning and connection. In fact, a specific region of our brain exists solely for social interaction and connection. Social connection makes us smarter, happier and more productive. As leaders you can facilitate meaningful connections for your teams and your organization. Doing so, can help you navigate this situation more effectively and come out of this situation as good or better than when you entered it!
