The adoption of work-from-home policies has been substantial so far, with even the biggest tech companies such as Google, Apple, and Facebook insisting their employees stay out of the office. Some estimates insist that the percentage of people working from home by the end of the year could reach has high as 25-30%, which means understanding the best practices is more important than ever. We spoke to Justin Gallagher, the Head of Product at Trello, to get some tips on how to manage a remote team during the coronavirus pandemic. Take a look at what he had to say about team management in this new normal.
Professionally
Communicating professionally doesn’t mean you have to send all messages on the company letterhead. Rather, professional communication comes in the form of clear guidelines, reasonable deadlines, and mutual transparency about how work gets done and when. Transparency really is the key in this troubled times. In addition to being honest and clear with employees about how work is getting done, giving a bit of honest flexibility can go a long way. Whether parents are attempting to home-school their children or simply having a bad mental health day, the more understanding you are will pay off in the long run.
Digitally
The best way to maintain a professional line of communication is through digital tools. While email used to suffice when it came to communicating in an office, maintaining a level of organization and productivity is pretty hard without a digital infrastructure to start from. And, with dozens of project management tools out there, you’ll need to find what works for you. As Gallagher put it: As for some of the specifics, Trello is certainly a great option for project management, Slack is equally great for internal messaging, and Zoom is a viable option for video meetings (even with the occasional Zoom privacy hiccup). Make sure to dig deep on what these software offer though, because each one provides something your company might need. See our guide to the Best Video Conferencing Apps for Business
Socially
You might not realize it until you’re stuck working from home, but an office setting has a pretty notable social element. This can be great for mental health, but also for productivity. Recreating some of the social aspects of your office, or creating new ones in their absence, can do a lot to make your team feel like they’re still in this together. Studies have shown that sociable workplaces are happier and more productive, and that’s doubly true for remote workplaces. With mental health concerns sweeping the world, giving your employees some social opportunities, like virtual trivia, can go a long way in improving productivity and keeping everyone sane.
Physical changes
Simply put, working on your couch in your underwear isn’t going to fly. To truly commit to productivity while working remotely, you need to set yourself up for success by building yourself an environment that plays to your specific needs when it comes to working at home effectively. Lighting, furniture, music, room choice, and a wide range of other important factors can hinder or contribute to your productivity when working remotely. Make sure you, first, figure out your own needs and second, actually take action and stay in that productive environment until your day is done.
Mental health considerations
Working from home can stress your mental health, particularly when it’s combined with understandable worries about the coronavirus pandemic. Not going to the office, seeing your coworkers, or leaving the house in general doesn’t bode well for maintaining a usual level of sanity. However, if you can make sure to keep work and home life separate, you still have a chance. As Gallagher told us: If at all possible, don’t work in the same place you have fun. Stay on schedule, and keep away from distracting subjects. Avoid social media when possible. All of these tips will help you to keep the work part of your life and the home part of your life in different areas of your brain, and that’s good for everyone. See more of our Best Tips for Working from Home Effectively They’re probably slacking off, right? This type of thinking is neither productive to you or to your employees. By trusting your team – rather than assuming the worst, or being overly paternalistic – you can build the productive workforce you need to get through the pandemic. Gallagher puts it well: The world is a different place right now, and working differently is part of that equation. Trust, as opposed to skepticism, can help you maintain your mental health and the mental health of your team, which is the best way to ensure that productivity won’t suffer.
