DEVELOPMENT the optimal length in which your brain can focus .
During this period , new habits and routines have been created , so consider which ones have worked effectively and can be continued . Talk to your team and colleagues to determine how to blend the best old and new ways of working .
What can we learn from long-term remote working ?
The recent experience of mandatory working from home has left its mark , highlighting the positives and opportunities that exist says Michelle Gibbings
People want progress Research shows that making progress is a huge factor in keeping us motivated . Motivation levels will likely have waxed and waned over this period .
As work starts to adjust to a new normal , look for ways to bolster productivity . It can be as simple as making your ’ s and the team ’ s progress visible by writing down the key tasks and when done , crossing them out . This simple approach helps maintain motivation as the brain ’ s natural reward chemical — dopamine — kicks in .
Technology is crucial Technology is changing how we live and work , and technology made work from home possible for many . For organisations that struggled with technology capacity and having the right tools , they had to adapt and find work-arounds quickly . So identify and address any technology gaps or process inefficiencies . Working from home is on the agenda , and it will stay there .
THE EXPERT
Michelle Gibbings is a change leadership and career expert and founder of Change Meridian . Michelle works with global leaders and teams to help them get fit for the future of work . She is the Author of Step Up : How to Build Your Influence at Work and Career Leap : How to Reinvent and Liberate your Career .
For leaders who thought that working from home doesn ’ t work , they were proved wrong . It works , but with some caveats and imperatives that could help it work better .
Leadership needs to step up Leadership is imperative no matter the working environment — be it the office or home . The best leaders reached out to their team members to understand what support they needed . They recognised that while there are universal human reactions to change and uncertainty , people have different needs .
Leaders learnt through this process that working from home meant they needed to pay more attention to the team ’ s dynamics . People want to feel they matter and to know they are valued . Leaders need to continue to set regular times to check in with their team and colleagues , using these connection points as an opportunity for support and engagement , as well as motivation .
Structure matters Getting things done and making progress isn ’ t an accident , having a structure and routine helps . This approach may include having specific start and finish times for pieces of work , along with scheduled breaks . Research shows working in 30 – 60 minute time blocks is most effective as it ’ s
Make the environment work The aesthetics of the work environment matter as they impact productivity . So , just as people may have set up their home office to be a place that was nice to work , now is the time to consider the options that exist to make the office workspace more aesthetically supportive . There is always something you can do , big or small , to make your space work better for you .
Not everything translates to virtual Sitting down and participating in online meetings all day is exhausting . This sentiment has been a constant source of commentary and feedback from many sources . Looking at screens and being on the phone all day isn ’ t how we are used to working . So , while working from home is great , not every thing can be done remotely . Consider where face-to-face sessions are more productive and effective , and those where remote will work just as well .
People need connection Humans are tribal creatures who are hard-wired for connection . Part of the joy and happiness that people experience at work comes from the banter and chats they have with colleagues . Nothing can replace the casual corridor conversation or chat in the tea-room . WFH is here to stay , but time with our colleagues will always be necessary . S
www . michellegibbings . com
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