Wirral Life May 2020 | Page 72

OPEN DOOR A series of virtual peer-to-peer leadership sessions Share. Support. Learn. Our door is open. Drop by when you can. Watch us on social media for more info LEADING IN A VIRTUAL ENVIRONMENT By Westminster Associates Today’s events are creating truly unprecedented leadership demands. We at Westminster Associates would love to share our thoughts to help you lead in today’s virtual lockdown world. RIDING THE CHANGE ROLLERCOASTER The Coronavirus has thrown us all onto the change rollercoaster. We’re experiencing many ups and downs, sometimes repeating them, and sometimes feeling like we're doing nothing but loops. Leaders: Ask your people how they're experiencing change. Discuss how you can support and integrate the "new normal" into your team and their lives, both personally and professionally. BE FLEXIBLE Each person’s work-from-home situation may be vastly different from someone else's. There can be numerous demands and distractions, especially around when and how they are able to work. Leaders: Help each person find their own routine and equilibrium. Be flexible and compassionate. Adapt your approach. One size does not fit all! GET TO KNOW YOUR PEOPLE Leaders who deepen their understanding of each team member will be much better equipped to gauge and guide their well-being and performance. Don't shy away from asking how someone is feeling. It's not touchy-feely. It's the cornerstone of trust and collaboration. Leaders: Check in with your employees rather than checking up. ONE TEAM One of the big risks of lockdown is that we start to feel isolated and lonely. This can make teams feel fragmented, and well-being and productivity can be impacted. 72 wirrallife.com Leaders: Create virtual meetings and events where teams can interact on both a professional and a more personal level. Encourage peer-to-peer support. BE AVAILABLE High-performing leaders are available for people to talk to, connect with, or ask for support from. Not being in the same location makes this challenging but not impossible. Leaders: Over-communicate that you are available and contactable. Consider creating virtual drop-in sessions where people can stop by for a virtual coffee and chat. WALK YOUR TALK Your team looks to you for guidance, reassurance and encouragement. Provide support and guidance for those who need it. You are a role model. Your authenticity determines your credibility. Leaders: Walk your talk. Show your human side and all its vulnerability, and that you can relate to what’s happening to others. Avoid micro-managing! You hired them to do a job. Let them do it. STAY CONNECTED AND NEVER STOP COMMUNICATING Communication is more crucial than ever. Keep messages simple. Communicate them in small, bite-sized portions. See the world through others' eyes when you communicate and be guided by that. Leaders: Pause and take time to listen. Over communicate rather than under communicate. For more information and to find out how Westminster Associates can help call 07968 423738.