Thread by @lennysan

Advice for keeping your team's morale and productivity up during these uncertain times, taken yesterday's newsletter discussion.

Thread (1/12) 👇

1/ As someone who's been in a long-distance marriage for 9 months, the power of saying a simple "good morning" can't be understated. We translated that to a new workflow where everyone starts the day with a Slack check-in, sharing a learning, a funny movie, etc. (via @doox98)

2/ Getting on calls more frequently using Slack's call feature vs. just typing away (via @aydin)

3/ Show empathy and compassion. Ensure that each employee feels safe. Talk through life issues and being prepared outside of work. No one is an expert here but as a leader, you need to be able to show you care. (via @treyshelton)

4/ Virtual lunches via Zoom (complete with absurd backgrounds & costume themes!) that are purely social. They're totally optional - but that bit of a social touch really helps to stay connected, which has translated into greater productivity (via @doox98)

5/ Hard talk, not happy talk. Level with your team about the challenges ahead. They can smell bullshit and will appreciate honesty (via @treyshelton)
medium.com/craft-ventures…

6/ Bring your team into the battle room. I see two scenarios playing out (6 months and 18 months hardship). Both paths require their own battle plans. I give my team daily updates on how things are unfolding and where the can help in determining our course (via @treyshelton)

7/ Changed focus to short-term revenue over long-term strategic investments. Focusing on helping our customers and suppliers get through this together. We're choosing 1-2 bets that will have most impact, and having the team to try move needle with those. (via @NassarHayat)

8/ Created a shared wellness calendar - each event with a Zoom link so folks can find opportunities to connect outside of meetings “organically”. My favorite event is the team stretch in the afternoon. (via Betty Liao)

9/ We've set up a 'watercooler' type Zoom link that anyone can pop into if they need a bit of virtual face time, positive space for open conversation, company while working, and reassurance. (via @ashtluk)

10/ We are sharing a lot about our home offices, and our cute pets and kiddos that are running around causing the cartoon-like crash noises in the background. It's a good way to tap into the common humanity of the situation and makes us feel like we will make do. (via Aisha Wang)

11/ Regular check-ins to see how everyone is feeling and if anyone needs some support throughout social distancing and isolation. (via @ashtluk)

12/ Using the virtual background feature on Zoom is a must (via Eric Ramos)

Many more suggestions in the full thread
lennyrachitsky.com/p/this-week-19…

(Sad about that typo 😬 If not an edit button, I wish there was a way to unpost a thread, update, and repost, vs. just deleting it)