2020 has been a year of disruption for many of us. During such uncertain times, even the most organized plans can go away. How can we move forward in the workplace, and make sure we don’t get lost in all of the noise?
This post will lead you through the top 5 ways essential stakeholders and employees can overcome disruption and get back on track with their professional development goals.
Health, Balance, and Professional Development
Prioritize Health: We want to care for not only ourselves but for the health of others. The first massive step has already been taken by many senior leaders, by allowing their employees to work from home.
Perhaps you are leading a team that has to come into the office. If this is the case, make sure you provide necessary protective materials and take precautionary measures. Make sure to:
- Encourage social distancing and not only require masks but also supply them within the workplace.
- Prioritize regular cleaning, continuous air filtration, and proper ventilation.
- Talk to your employees about not only their physical health but their mental health as well.
- Encourage teletherapy and virtual medical visits for all of your workers. Having both of their physical and mental health in balance will boost productivity and make for better employee engagement.
Balance structure and flexibility: Now more than ever, a daily structure can foster a sense of normalcy, which can help ease anxiety.
For example, if you have always had your team meetings at 3 p.m. on Thursdays, then try to keep this schedule up and encourage your employees to mark the event in their calendars.
If your team has always submitted progress reports before the end of the day on Fridays, then maintain that deadline.While routine is important, so is flexibility. Take a workplace poll to make sure these times still work for people even if they work at their remote locations.
Essential Stakeholders: Take Charge and Prepare Workers
Make sure your team feels prepared: To get everyone on the same page, try refocusing on standard engagement elements. This could include clarifying post-covid expectations, providing employees with materials, training, and equipment they might need for their newly altered positions. This will help your team put their best foot forward, and boost employee productivity.
Some of the possible tools and resources could be:
- CRM or enterprise social networks, which should be accessible to all.
- Dropbox, Slack, Zoom, which will help workers feel more connected
- Antivirus, firewall, and other security apps. These will keep projects safe from harm and put your team at ease.
- Technological devices like proper computers and microphones.
- Standing desks, better chairs, or a balance ball. If your team is working in the office, these improvements will help them focus and feel more in tune with their bodies.
Communicate often: While it is true that a lot of face-to-face interaction is not feasible at this time, there are still a variety of tools that will help key stakeholders and their team stay constantly connected, such as Slack, Zoom, Teams, or FaceTime.
When not focusing on an important project, try staying visible on Slack or your preferred messaging service. Be respectful of people’s personal lives, and try to schedule all virtual team meetings at least 24 hours in advance. Keep meetings within the workday hours.
Staying Focused And Boosting Employee Engagement
Working at home can be difficult when it comes to employee productivity, as it presents a whole new set of distractions. As a worker, it’s important to continue to hold yourself accountable, take charge of your own learning experience, and practice self-discipline. Here are some tips for overcoming new challenges:
- Set up a tidy and inspiring workspace. Try to stay away from the couch or your bed, as these places should ideally be reserved for family time and relaxation.
- Although it may sound silly, pretend like you’re still going to the office. Wake up at the same time each day, get dressed in something nice, and try sticking to your normal schedule.
- Keep track of your time. Begin by monitoring how much time it takes to complete a project and making note of how much time you spend doing other things, like surfing the web or walking the dog.
- Know how to acknowledge productive procrastination. For example, if you find yourself cleaning the house or folding laundry to avoid a big project, take a step back, and reassess your priorities.
- Start each day with a small victory. This could be something as simple as making your bed. The more things you accomplish, the more momentum you’ll gain.
- Try ending the day by taking stock in what you have and acknowledging what you are grateful for, both personally and professionally. Try making a list of at least 4 things in a journal. This will help you maintain a positive attitude.
Employee Productivity And WeLearn’s Learning Development Blog
With digital distraction more present than ever before, it has become increasingly difficult to stay focused and productive while working from home. Instead of beating yourself up for struggling with change, acknowledge that you are in a point of transition and it takes time to build a healthy, maintainable schedule.
What are some of your favorite ways to stay focused when working from home? What distractions do you find most challenging, and why? Share your experience here with us at WeLearn’s Learning Development blog, where together, we learn.