REMOTE WORKING:
With work from home policies being implemented amid #COVID19 concerns, this puts some employees in an unfamiliar environment. Others may have done this here and there, but not a consistent basis.
I want to share tips on how to manage this process.
THREAD
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With work from home policies being implemented amid #COVID19 concerns, this puts some employees in an unfamiliar environment. Others may have done this here and there, but not a consistent basis.
I want to share tips on how to manage this process.
THREAD
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Background: I've worked in a 100% remote environment off & on over the last 11 years, both as an employee & a manager.
Primary thread focus:
1. Work-Life Balance
2. Managing Remotely
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Primary thread focus:
1. Work-Life Balance
2. Managing Remotely
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WORK-LIFE BALANCE
If you have the space available, create a dedicated "office" spot that is out of primary traffic areas and can be closed off for conferencing, especially now considering kids are going to be home also. A spare bedroom, your own bedroom, the basement, etc/
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If you have the space available, create a dedicated "office" spot that is out of primary traffic areas and can be closed off for conferencing, especially now considering kids are going to be home also. A spare bedroom, your own bedroom, the basement, etc/
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WORK-LIFE BALANCE
You know how in the office you get up to stretch, take a break, visit co-workers, etc? Keep doing that! Walk away from your computer for a few minutes to refresh your brain & eyes. Pet the animals, grab a snack, throw a load of laundry in the wash, etc.
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You know how in the office you get up to stretch, take a break, visit co-workers, etc? Keep doing that! Walk away from your computer for a few minutes to refresh your brain & eyes. Pet the animals, grab a snack, throw a load of laundry in the wash, etc.
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WORK-LIFE BALANCE
I'm sure many of us are the constant workers, eating lunch at our desks, etc. Try as much as you can NOT to do this at home. Force yourself to eat away from your new temp "office". And just like the office, clean your dishes away right after you eat. :)
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I'm sure many of us are the constant workers, eating lunch at our desks, etc. Try as much as you can NOT to do this at home. Force yourself to eat away from your new temp "office". And just like the office, clean your dishes away right after you eat. :)
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WORK-LIFE BALANCE
One aspect of this I've struggled with is overworking. Without commuting 2 hours a day, that's 2 more hours I can work. Jump outta bed, grab coffee, fire the laptop up. DON'T DO THIS if you can avoid it! Maintain your normal work schedule within reason.
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One aspect of this I've struggled with is overworking. Without commuting 2 hours a day, that's 2 more hours I can work. Jump outta bed, grab coffee, fire the laptop up. DON'T DO THIS if you can avoid it! Maintain your normal work schedule within reason.
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WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Maintain all those daily talks you have with co-workers! Face-to-face interactions can still occur utilizing digital communication tools. Google Hangouts, Zoom meetings (yes with video). Just chat it up - not all discussions need to be work related.
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Maintain all those daily talks you have with co-workers! Face-to-face interactions can still occur utilizing digital communication tools. Google Hangouts, Zoom meetings (yes with video). Just chat it up - not all discussions need to be work related.
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WORK-LIFE BALANCE
Communicate communicate communicate - with peers, managers, direct reports, etc. Keep those lines open. Be candid in how you're feeling, how you're performing, and do not be afraid to ask for any help you feel you need! Your leadership is poised to help!
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Communicate communicate communicate - with peers, managers, direct reports, etc. Keep those lines open. Be candid in how you're feeling, how you're performing, and do not be afraid to ask for any help you feel you need! Your leadership is poised to help!
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MANAGING REMOTELY
Some of the points mentioned earlier apply in a managing role as well. While you occupy the driver's seat, remember your directs are in the passenger seat helping you navigate also. This is when true TEAM EFFORT can really shine!
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Some of the points mentioned earlier apply in a managing role as well. While you occupy the driver's seat, remember your directs are in the passenger seat helping you navigate also. This is when true TEAM EFFORT can really shine!
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MANAGING REMOTELY
I cannot stress this enough - OVER-COMMUNICATE. Keep your teams posted often & informed. Maintain 1x1s & team meetings, & stress how communication is a two-way street. We all own this process.
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I cannot stress this enough - OVER-COMMUNICATE. Keep your teams posted often & informed. Maintain 1x1s & team meetings, & stress how communication is a two-way street. We all own this process.
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MANAGING REMOTELY
Communications continued: include personal talk in 1x1s - catch up with the humans, not just the employees. Utilize video chat/calls as much as possible - effective comms lie in seeing reactions to nonverbals also.
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Communications continued: include personal talk in 1x1s - catch up with the humans, not just the employees. Utilize video chat/calls as much as possible - effective comms lie in seeing reactions to nonverbals also.
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MANAGING REMOTELY
Ask your team lots of questions! How's it going? What are your successes? What are your challenges? How can I help you more? This is more critical in a remote environment because you can't walk the floor and observe this in person.
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Ask your team lots of questions! How's it going? What are your successes? What are your challenges? How can I help you more? This is more critical in a remote environment because you can't walk the floor and observe this in person.
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MANAGING REMOTELY
Find balance between trusting your team to work responsibly & over-managing because you are not in person to see what they're doing. If someone is on performance watch, suggest logging their tasks on calendar blocks so you can discuss expectations.
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Find balance between trusting your team to work responsibly & over-managing because you are not in person to see what they're doing. If someone is on performance watch, suggest logging their tasks on calendar blocks so you can discuss expectations.
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MANGING REMOTELY
BE FLEXIBLE just like in the office regarding appointments & obligations, with the added layer that kids/pets/doorbells can and will interrupt.
Team meeting icebreaker: video introduce kids & furkids!
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BE FLEXIBLE just like in the office regarding appointments & obligations, with the added layer that kids/pets/doorbells can and will interrupt.
Team meeting icebreaker: video introduce kids & furkids!
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MANAGING REMOTELY
Verbalize those work-life guidelines mentioned above & engage your team to manage them. Reiterate the need to step away, take scheduled breaks, etc. Ask about interests/hobbies (team meeting icebreaker!)
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Verbalize those work-life guidelines mentioned above & engage your team to manage them. Reiterate the need to step away, take scheduled breaks, etc. Ask about interests/hobbies (team meeting icebreaker!)
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MANAGING REMOTELY
Engage team members as much as possible during meetings. Find ways to encourage participation during these meetings to continue encouragement of two-way communication.
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Engage team members as much as possible during meetings. Find ways to encourage participation during these meetings to continue encouragement of two-way communication.
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In all of your remote working engagements, focus on the human-to-human aspect of this global situation. Maintain professionalism, but remember your national & global counterparts are most likely in the same situation. Have that water cooler talk moment with everyone.
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I'm sure there's other ideas and suggestions I haven't covered, so let's talk! What are some things you're facing that you'd like input on? What's some success you & your company have had remotely so far? Many of us are on this ride together, so let's lean on each other.
18/18
18/18
Addendum:
Team Meeting Icebreaker - #OneGoodThing - I have @HoarseWisperer to thank for his Friday threads asking what's your one good thing this week? We definitely need to focus on the good, accomplishments, small victories, whatever helps keep positivity flowing.
Team Meeting Icebreaker - #OneGoodThing - I have @HoarseWisperer to thank for his Friday threads asking what's your one good thing this week? We definitely need to focus on the good, accomplishments, small victories, whatever helps keep positivity flowing.
