Set realistic goals and outcomes. Work with your team to ensure that goals set are realistic and achievable, especially in the current circumstances.
Encourage active collaboration. Create interactive opportunities for your direct reports to cohesively organize their projects virtually (sharing a Microsoft Box or Google Drive folder, regularly updating a spreadsheet, keeping a team calendar updated).
Communicate with Care
Schedule regular check-ins. Meet regularly with your direct reports (at least once a week) to ensure that your employees are receiving regular updates to help build trust.
Keep video meetings on task. Create an agenda for each meeting and ensure that you are making adequate use of the time at hand. Be mindful of “video fatigue” -- to avoid burnout, save video calls for meaningful discussion and collaboration, and provide briefings via email.
The “watercooler” remains important. Not every meeting needs to be about work! It’s still important to make time to check on how your team is doing, and to give your employees a space to connect.
Remember to verbalize nonverbal communication. Over video calls, many of us are missing the friendly nods or quick smiles that often come with in-person meetings. Be aware of the tone that you are using to speak with, and make sure to verbalize praise and greetings.
Balancing Work and Wellbeing
Respect boundaries between work and home life. Remote work might make it challenging for employees to separate worklife and homelife. Help your team understand when they need to be available and encourage them to set clear boundaries between work time and time before and after work.
Onboarding New Employees
New Employee Orientation. New Employee Orientation is held virtually on Mondays, and the employee should be prepared to attend on the date listed on their offer letter (their first day).
Regular check-ins are critical. During their first few days, a new hire will need regular calls and check-ins from you to ensure that they feel connected and have their questions answered.
Collaborate and create relationships. Provide your new hire with a chance to join projects that require collaboration. This will provide an opportunity for them to connect with their colleagues, and begin to understand your team's processes.
Easy wins are necessary. At the beginning, assign easy tasks and projects, to help build confidence and trust. As the new hire slowly gains confidence, begin to evaluate what they may be ready to handle.
Managing Growth
Opportunities for development. Encourage your employees to embrace opportunities to learn new skills and pick up new knowledge. Look for ways to delegate, assign new tasks or projects, and connect them with others to help them grow further.
Spread out responsibility. Ensure that much of the work and projects have been spread out equitably and be prepared to delegate tasks to employees to balance your team's workload.
