Working during the pandemic: Creating a performance and support friendly environment

What has been your biggest challenge during the pandemic?

How have you handled that challenge?

What support would you love to have or loved to have had to help you deal with that challenge?

Now, put on your team leader hat for a moment. Think of your team members, what answers might they offer tho these questions?

We are all facing similar challenges during the covid-19 pandemic and when it comes to our team members, we have another thing in common - against the backdrop of the pandemic we are expected to deliver results.

So as a team leader how do you create a support and performance friendly work environment? Here are some suggestions that you can customise:

1. Adopt a caring approach as opposed to a controlling one. Have regular check-ins to see how your team members are doing not only what they are doing.

2. Encourage openness and be open yourself. When we are open about our challenges, it makes us relatable.

3. Have empathy but curb any judgement you may have about your team member's challenge. Instead of coming up with 'if it were me' type solution, aim to understand the challenge from their perspective and ask what type of support they need.

4. Be ready and willing to offer support.

How can you do this?

By having a conversation with your team about the challenges you are all facing and how those challenges are impacting your ability to perform. Then come up with activities you can do as a team to support each other mentally, physically and spiritually. Some ideas include:

1. Virtual chats where you share experiences. This is a great way to encourage openness and remind team members that they are not alone.

2. Virtual fellowship or bible study.

3. Virtual fitness or exercise challenges that are simple and fun.

4. Online games or quizzes that can help build team spirit in a fun, light hearted way.

The key is to keep having these conversations with your team and to be responsive to their need for support.

Let your team members know that you care about their well being, not only about results.

You've got this! Remember if you need my help, I'm a click away!