While the pandemic changed business in many different ways, one of the most significant developments has been the accelerated shift towards remote working. Working remotely is not a new concept, but it became far more prevalent as a result of Covid-19. A recent survey revealed that in 2022, 58% of American employees have the option to work from home at least one day a week.
More importantly, 87% of those who’ve been given this opportunity choose to take it. Even though the vast majority of employees seem to enjoy the flexibility and other benefits of remote work, this doesn’t mean that making the switch is always smooth and unproblematic. Furthermore, we should not forget the remaining 13% of workers who prefer to be in the office, which has its advantages as well.
Assume Leadership in the Switch to Remote Work
A great leader is one who is always there and always present to lead their team, in good times and in bad times. The same holds true for any change that your company is undergoing. If you have made the decision or are pressed by circumstances to move to remote work, make sure to take ownership of the process and lead the way.
The worst you can do in this regard is to assume that working from home is the same as working in an office, both at the company and the employee level. It is a rookie mistake to let things happen on their own and leave your team to figure out the new dynamics by themselves. The sooner you realize that this new reality needs a strategic approach and an action plan, the sooner you will be able to assume your leadership role and take your team to a situation where everyone feels comfortable and knows how to make the transition.
To this end, it is crucial to have an open conversation with your management as well as all other team members, acknowledge the necessary changes, and discuss the transition process.
Start an Open, Ongoing Conversation
Offering an environment where everyone feels not only safe but encouraged to share is one of the pillars of a healthy, productive company culture. If it’s important to communicate with your team during regular times, it is absolutely crucial to do so during times of increased uncertainty, such as when you are switching to remote work.
For a smooth transition, your management team, your HR team, and you as the leader should put intentional effort into connecting with each and every employee to ensure that they are provided with everything they need for successful work from home.
Acknowledge that not all employees feel the same about the switch. Whereas some might be exhilarated by the fact that they don’t need to wear formal clothing and commute to the office, others might feel dejected by the prospect of being socially isolated and restrained to their home. Also, be mindful that some team members might be hesitant to admit that they face challenges in fear of being let go because of lack of adaptivity.
So, maintain an open mind, reach out to your employees, share your own experience and thoughts, and continue asking how you can make the process better for them.
Provide Convenient Technical Tools to Support Remote Work
Working from home comes with many new requirements such as online chats, video meetings, e-signings, and collaborative digital whiteboards, to name a few. To help your team adapt to working remotely, you need to supply them with all the tools – both software and hardware – that they need to continue performing their tasks, cooperating with the rest of the team, and communicating with one another in an efficient way.
However, when you decide what new tools to adopt, be careful not to overdo it. Remember that some of your team members might be less tech savvy than others, so having to learn how to use a ton of new apps will only add to the challenges that remote work is already creating.
For maximum effectiveness, try to choose a one-stop-shop platform that allows you to implement many of the new processes from a single place. Choose tools that really are user-friendly and don’t just claim so. This requires testing all products yourself, and if they pass your initial test, ask a few members of different teams and with different technical knowledge to test them as well. Make sure the tools that you provide to your employees will really help their work, instead of creating more obstacles.
Inspire Communication and Cooperation Within the Company
Working remotely predisposes people to closing themselves off, and this can have a detrimental impact on your business long term. Statistics show that workers who collaborate are over 50% more effective and productive than those who don’t. So a failure to establish effective communication and cooperation mechanisms in the new reality of remote work will negatively affect both your company and your employees.
In addition to providing effective tools for online communication, continue emphasizing the need and the benefits of working together – whether discussing challenges, brainstorming ideas, implementing solutions, or developing products. Just like when you work in an office, collaboration has to continue being a mechanism for doing your job rather than a goal in itself. It has to happen between teams and within teams, and it is your responsibility as a leader to ensure this can take place.
Prioritize the Physical and Mental Wellbeing of Your Team
One of the most important lessons I’ve learned in my career is that a company is only as good as its people. In this sense, how your employees feel directly affects how well they will perform and how well your business will perform.
The pandemic has impacted most of us negatively in one way or another—physically, financially, or emotionally. But even as the pandemic loosens its grip, the physical and mental well-being of employees must remain a top priority for management, especially as stress levels remain high.
It’s helpful to establish mechanisms that let you know how your team is feeling and when they need a break. Create a culture where time off—whether sick leave or vacation—is viewed as a fundamental right, not a privilege. Creating the open communication channels I mentioned above is the first step towards this.
The pandemic has brought a lot of changes to different industries, including fashion. Wedding dress brand Catarina Kordas used this period for transformation. They have adapted their designs and manufacturing processes to remain safe while maintaining their classic elegance. A shift to virtual fittings and expanded online customer service are just some of the ways Katarina Cordas continues to thrive despite the challenges brought on by the global health crisis.
If your team has recently transitioned to remote work, or you’re considering doing so, take a few minutes out of your busy schedule this week to think about what you can do to make the transition smooth for your team. First of all, be sure to talk to your employees so you can understand where they need to focus their efforts.