Reflections... Embracing Change to Thrive
Team,
Our environment is demanding change all around. This makes it critical for us to keep pace with the required transformations in how we live and work. I encourage us all to consider not only how to survive despite the challenges, but also how to win and thrive because of the dynamics. Last week, our Communications Director, Katie Maldonado, shared a presentation of her research on Best Practices for Remote Working with the APM Leadership Team. I asked her to share the below summary thoughts.
As a professional communicator, I am someone who believes in the power and value of face-to-face engagement. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, I facilitated a “Collab” (short for collaboration) Day for my team once per week, wherein we would sit together for an entire day and work side-by-side. Some days we would work on a collective project, and other days, we would work independently. But being together in person allowed us the opportunity to get exposure to one another, provide real-time feedback, and build off each other’s ideas. The opportunity to work in this capacity is no longer feasible with the current need for social distancing. Thus, I have been on a hunt to identify best practices to keep the team engaged, as well as keep myself productive, in this new remote working environment.
The elements of my research fell within three main topics: leadership communication, team management, and personal engagement. Allow me to call out two trends I found across all lines of this research – be intentional and be consistent.
Be intentional. Know what needs to be communicated, with whom, and have a clear strategy for making it happen. Don’t assume the communication will occur otherwise. With so much information swirling around us, we must fight for people’s attention and communicate what is truly important. We must also have a clear plan for our own productivity and effectiveness. Don’t assume working eight straight hours at your dining table with your kids playing hide-and-seek behind you will produce quality results. Assess your environment, schedule, etc. and derive a plan to meet your goals.
Be consistent. Follow through on your commitments and communications. “Once and done” is never really done. You need to ensure your communications are understood, and you need to ensure your work processes are producing results. Seek opportunities to verify success or failure and keep an open mind about learning and improving each time. Continuous learning best serves you and the business.
In the below presentation, you can review my detailed notes and best practices in each of the categories I researched. Each of the themes – leadership communication, team management, and personal engagement – are significant for effectiveness in this new world of remote work. As someone on a continuous learning journey, I welcome your ideas and feedback relative to the attached topics. Changing processes and habits is tough, but the opportunity to be engaged and effective exists, and perhaps the changes even come with some advantages if we are willing to embrace them.
Thank you for sharing, Katie.
—Jake
References:
https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/tools-and-samples/exreq/pages/details.aspx?erid=1447
https://business.udemy.com/resources/guide-remote-work/
https://www.udemy.com/course/quick-guide-to-working-remotely-from-vp-of-learning/learn/lecture/18373424#overview