Elevator catch ups, hall way bump ins, tea room howdy’s and weekend debriefs. We’re all very familiar with these and although they may have initially seemed relatively business as usual or just normality, it’s now more than ever we realise that these human touch points, check ins and interactions link our people, teams and company’s together. In a time where ‘normal’ or ‘usual’ is questioned like an ever-moving steam-train?, venturing into areas unvisited.
One thing hasn’t changed, the need to be connected, remain connected and work as a team remotely rather than remotely working.
Why the importance of this? Yes, we can use the time to dig down and get on top of many items previously put off. Perhaps your usually very client facing. This creates an opportunity to get back to basics, get to those tasks that had been pushed back. Connectedness and communication needs to be one of those top priorities. Not just because by nature we are often rather social creatures but this could be our new norm. We don’t know how long the current social distancing measures will be in place for. This likely is our new ‘normal’ for many months. So lets make it count. Let’s consider how to best operate individually and together as a team to reach and share success to be out the other side even stronger.
Where to start?
Keep up your meetings. I see this in many of my clients. The more you get together, yep… hello video calls. The more we encourage this the alignment spikes. Our team’s goals, challenges, priorities and ultimately individuals work together to achieve that ever desired outcome. Continuous alignment, clear achievable targets is how we can keep our employees, teams and businesses thinking as one.
Let’s look at some people managers. Always had the ability to drop by employees’ desk, say hi, getting those pre-mentioned touch points/ interactions. Those touch points are the valuable foundations of a trusting exchange, then work talk. Where are you at with…. Can I suggest…
This interaction is given greater weighting when the rapport is already established.
Teams are commonly now working from home but we need to continue to build that rapport. Employees are juggling many hats, some never imagined. Home school teacher? S.u.r.e. that sounds fun! Quick grocery shop adorning plastic gloves and limited stock on shelves… Sign me up! We’re challenged as humans to operate differently, in a world tailored to personal interactions, connection and gatherings so how can we keep our teams on track and our businesses kicking those goals?
How can we be separate but not apart?
Here at Your HR System we have not only created an effective Performance Management tool but also a Check In function. Utilizing this enables managers and employees to quickly and accurately touch base with each other in an easy to interpret, interactive and prompt way. Chat to us now about how this function can benefit your teams.
Align yourselves closely. Establish regular check ins with all team members and other colleagues:
- How are they feeling in times like this?
- How are they getting on?
- How’s their Year 10 math skills? (Might need some phone-a-friend tutoring for home-schooled child).
Let’s do what humans do best, support each other, learn from each other and remain a closely knitted community. (That reminds me of a new hobby I might finally have time to pick up). Now to teach Nana how to Video chat with knitting needles.
0 Comments