COVID Remote Work isn’t Real Remote Work
A weekly roundup of the latest future of work and conscious leadership news and insights
Over the last month or so I’ve started noticing a trend in reporting about remote work. While most stories still cover all the major companies planning for long term remote work, many are starting to share stories of burnout and loneliness amidst the ongoing pandemic.
As a remote work advocate, I’m excited to see so many companies finally acknowledging this structure not only functions, it benefits employees who seek more flexibility in their work. However, not everyone was prepared for such an abrupt transition to working from home. Transitioning to remote work requires guidance and expertise under normal circumstances. But in our current reality, many people didn’t receive the support and guidance to help them make the leap seamlessly.
Normally, most of the rest of your life (kids in school, going to the gym, socializing with friends) would have remained intact and provided balance during the adjustment. Instead, normal social support systems were abruptly cut off. So the Great Remote Work Experiment of 2020 isn’t really a true experience of how awesome remote work can be when you have normal routines and help. Instead, what we’re experiencing is a hybrid remote work experiment.
Normally you’d have time to determine a good office setup in your home, or find a co-working location. You’d figure out the right routine for your kids’ education. You’d get out and socialize in the evenings, or take a gym break during the day. But none of that is possible right now.
What we’re really grappling with is the loneliness and burnout from extended quarantines without adequate support or social connection.
Conscious leaders can help with this immediate problem by checking in more regularly with teammates and providing individualized support for their specific situation. Perhaps they need a coach to help them think through the best remote work setup for their home. Maybe they need help with childcare, or at least more flexibility for kids who aren’t returning to a physical school this fall. They may even need some nutrition counseling or new office furniture.
We are in a surreal time right now; it demands we rise up to meet the challenge by supporting and empowering our teams. We were given an unexpected challenge this year. That challenge is causing many unanticipated problems on a personal level. But we can turn this challenge into an opportunity for learning, growth, and connection. As a conscious leader, how will you tackle this opportunity?
Here is some of the future of work and conscious leadership content I found interesting this week:
Slate published an excellent post about employees growing tired of virtual games and happy hours. The truth is, genuine, conscious leadership isn’t as easy as hosting weekly happy hours. It requires knowing what each employee really needs in order to be happy. That can mean things like reducing workloads and offering more paid time off.
This week I had the opportunity to host a webcast for my coaching school, iPEC. During the webcast I talk a little about how I got into coaching and share some tips on how to host online events.
My friends at Beacon Center of Tennessee interviewed Kelly Smith about Prenda Schools. If you’re a parent working remotely who is grappling with what to do for your kids’ education this school year, check out Prenda Schools. Kelly has an amazing vision for the future education and how microschools can empower kids to become lifelong learners. It’s time to bring more conscious leadership to education!
Inc.com shared some tips on how to build a strong company culture remotely. Ideas include leveraging snail mail to send fun gifts, bringing in an outside speaker, and setting up an employee hotline. Have you found some other creative ways to connect with your team during this time?
Work happy. Live happy. BE happy.
Meredith
Meredith’s coaching helps conscious leaders step courageously into the future of work. Contact her to develop your conscious leadership and transform your organization into the workplace of the future.
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