Remote Work Musings March 20, 2020
A roundup of the latest remote work news and insights
It’s been another incredible week as the Corona Virus (COVID-19) pandemic continues to unfold. State governments have changed quarantine policies on an almost hourly basis in an effort to stop further spread of the illness. Work from Home (#wfh) and remote work is trending all over the place. People are grappling with this new way of life that’s been thrust upon them so quickly and unexpectedly. It’s understandable that so many are struggling to navigate this strange new reality. I hope this newsletter will bring you some comfort and guidance as you adjust.
Here are some of the remote work/virtual teams content I found interesting this week:
· LinkedIn is offering many resources for remote work.
One key insight for me: Everyone seems to recognize that “life/work as we know it” has changed. This curated list of advice from people around the globe helps us feel more connected as we all experience this shift together.
· Teresa Brown of State Policy Network shared her best practices from years of experience managing a remote team.
One key insight for me: Be prepared for challenges that pop up (internet going down, delivery guy at the door during a conference call, etc.). I’ve been on calls with Teresa when things like this happen. Understanding that “life happens” (especially in a home office) means cutting your teammates more slack.
· Running Remote—an excellent resource for remote teams—is hosting a free webinar on April 20 to help organizations get their remote teams up and running.
One key insight for me: I’ve never attended a conference for remote workers, so I’m looking forward to seeing how they host the conference and what kind of additional ideas I can glean for helping others.
One key insight: This is not a time for pointing fingers or pushing agendas. It’s a time to share stories about how we can all come together to help each other and build a society that cares for everyone.
· I also contributed an article about how an organization can prepare crisis communications plans.
One key insight: This COVID-19 situation is definitely a black swan scenario, which means it’s something we really couldn’t have planned for. But as in any crisis, we can not only survive, but thrive through the situation with proper planning and execution.
Other Resources:
· If you’ve got kids whose schools are closed, check out Prenda, a micro-school option you may want to continue using even after schools reopen! I’ve personally worked with the founder, Kelly Smith, and can vouch for Kelly and his passion for this education model. I was homeschooled, so I love the idea of making home education easier for those who otherwise might not be able to do it.
· I haven’t used this service, but Klaxoon is offering a free 3-month trial use of their remote team platform.
· I’ll talk about this more in a future post, but right now mental health is absolutely critical. What we’re experiencing feels like a collective trauma. One thing that may help is meditation. I personally enjoy Deepak Chopra’s 20 minute meditations. Janice Hayes also has some lovely, deeply spiritual meditations.
Please reach out if you need someone to talk to. I am a professional coach, so I specialize in helping people process their experiences then step into their power—even in the midst of great turmoil.
On a more personal note, I got married this week! My fiancé (now husband!) and I had waited almost a year to get married, so we were thrilled to finally tie the knot, even in the midst of the surreal circumstances. The current crisis just reminded us of how precious life is and how we need to cherish those we love.
I will soon be launching a training series for employers and employees to hone their remote work skills. Stay posted for these exciting and timely new courses!
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