TRANSFORMED work environments- Part 2 How to keep yourself and others focused, involved and informed in today’s remote office. Give Information & Solicit Feedback In my first article I reviewed how movement, breath and taking time to refocus will keep your energy up and allows you to maintain your own productivity. As we continue our conversation around the the new work environment, and how remote offices make up our new reality, let’s consider remote Leadership. Our ability to track productivity, motivate and lead others to completion tasks or projects, is being tested in new ways. Sitting in front of a zoom meeting without pants, or in you “jammies”becoming glued to your desk, you might find confidence and perspective can be challenging. So what can be done differently, adapting your leadership approach, to this new reality? Here are 3 recommendations on how to giving and solicit feedback.
Put the pants on!
Clearly there are many good reasons for this, but when you are not physically prepared for your role it can play with your subconscious mind. Yes it might be comfortable but how does it become a conscious choice? Remote leadership takes thoughtful and strategic preparation. Addressing your colleagues and team means not only consciously preparing but physically preparing as well. Getting into the flow of giving information and soliciting feedback is key to adapting to this new reality. So not only working through the details from your mental preparation, but physically showing up in the way that portrays how you want to be seen is just as important as what you will be discussing. Your preparation is key to how you will be perceived.
Get your house in order.
Details listed, and you are ready for the conversation. What does the space you are in look like? Are there distractions in the background? You know what I am referring to. We have all now experienced a broadcast where key reporters have been charged with delivering a story, yet you missed parts of the message because you were visually distracted. Noise in the background or even eating and drinking on camera become a distractions. Casual is good unless it dilutes the message. When giving and getting feedback check your surroundings first. Be prepared to focus in on your audience and ensure you control your environment so they can stay forced on you.
Keep your Schedule Times
This casual environment can impact you as well. If you are running behind or not maintaining your timelines for conversations, consider what you can really accomplish in a work day. Chances are you are forgetting to get up between meetings and stretch your legs. This happens in the traditional office all of the time. In your new remote office it is easy to forget to eat, get away from the electronics and just take a minute to regroup! Staying on point as you guide tasks or check in to gain feedback, moving quickly from one conversation to the next is not only exhausting but becomes automatic! Authentic leadership, showing up for the team and the individual, is something you can consciously feel, even from a long distance perspective. Don’t underestimate the transmission of energy you are giving and getting remotely. Intention, purpose and thoughtful interactions matter even more when you are communicating remotely.
So wear the pants & get out of your “jammies”! Look around you, check your surroundings! Plan time for yourself and others and keep to that timeline as best you can. Approach the day in a purposeful and focused way. All of the things you practiced before this change now take on a heightened sense of importance in this new way of leading! Sandra Tillett is the co-founder of QuantumSavvyConsultants.com and BeyondTransformation.org A Senior Executive, she spent over 30 years as a leader, mentor, and coach. Retiring she established a yoga studio, received her 500-hour yoga certification and is primordial sound meditation teacher through the Chopra Center.