When you’re working on a project, it can be tough to keep on track, even at the best of times. It’s easy to get distracted and as a result you can miss key deadlines, then frustration and anger can quickly build.
Your team, like most of us, may be struggling with concerns about the health and well-being of loved ones, economic uncertainties, and other worries about our physical or mental health. We need to work as productively as possible, while we may be struggling with motivation, childcare or home-schooling challenges.
For leaders, this presents both a challenge and an opportunity to be a leader your teams trust, admire, and want to follow. The following five top tips will help you keep your team focused, productive, and motivated.
Calm the storm
Manage people’s feeling around uncertainty, admit you may not know the answer right away, but work together and don’t let a vacuum of uncertainly fill with more anxiety. We all have a tendency to sometimes think the worst so keep communication open, frequent and reassure them you are here and ready to support them. Help people work through the angst they’re feeling so they can refocus.
Make it safe and secure
Let your team members come to you with problems and bad news. Let them know you want to hear from them, whatever they have to say. Back this up by being visible and accessible. This is not the time to leave them alone, be visible and supportive and ensure you have regular check-ins. They don’t have to be long, but there is no better feeling than knowing your boss cares and has your back.
Keep it focussed
Even in the best of times, meetings can be dreadful. Virtual meetings can be especially draining because you’re asking people to be “on” – on a camera. Meetings also interrupt workflow, and if they are purely informative, you are not advancing the agenda.
Start by streamlining your meetings and encourage everyone else to do the same. Limit meetings to only those that are necessary, and make sure they are attended by only those who need to be there. Focus meeting time on problems you can solve together or ideas you can develop. Clarify the meeting’s purpose, roles, outcomes, and deliverables so everyone knows why they are there and what needs to come out of the meeting.
Can it be done better
Encourage innovation and creativity – there is no doubt that some of best ideas often emerge during a crisis or challenge when you’re forced into a corner. Create a culture with your team that explicitly encourages new ideas and innovation. Welcome thoughtful discussion and problem solving and set up groups to evaluate ideas. Virtual group work is great, especially if you have sharing platforms and tools for group discussions.
Looking down the track
Finally, and perhaps most critically, while managing the day to day, don’t overlook the importance of focusing on what’s next. It’s important for the team to think about the possibilities of a brighter more interesting future. Help and encourage them to think a little about what’s coming down the track. Inspire your team to help them shape the future of your business.
Of course, you want good productive teams but don’t forget it’s important for you all to have some fun. Ask for suggestions and find some time to socialise – it’s OK to have some downtime in work.
