Being an employee has been quite a wild ride the last few years, and anything but “normal”.  

Shifting between on and off remote work, managing ever-changing technology needs in diverse work environments, and keeping customers engaged despite industry ups and downs is a complex balancing act. 

Add both personal and family needs to the mix, and the day flies by before you know it. 

To create a new, grounded balance point for leaders and employees alike, it’s important for managers to take a beat, review key aspects of work-life balance, and find a new path forward that makes sense with the new pace of work. 

Key Things Employees Manage Regardless of Outlined “Job Requirements” 

To understand the best way to support employees and make an impact on team dynamics, consider the “wish list” many team members have – but won’t say out loud. Then, as a manager, create time and space to truly listen to what each team member personally needs to do their job well. 

Here are a few examples of what employees wish you knew or considered:

• The hard work that goes into building relationships remotely – with clients AND coworkers.
• Thinking about work IS working, and essential to personal performance and team success. 
• How many different people one team member is required to interact with during a 24 hour period to successfully complete tasks. 
• Spending time away from the computer, phone, or other devices is essential to creativity and strategic thinking.  
• Personal development is put on the back burner to keep up with changing work needs related to the pandemic – and formal opportunities for growth and development are missing more than ever. 
• Working from home can be harder because information or tools are not easily accessible, and work hours don’t have a specific “end time.”  
• The power of saying thank you for the effort, and tying it to a specific accomplishment. 

Using some of these key points as a guide can help you craft a more powerful way forward, improve the relationship with all of your employees, and practice being a better leader. 

Tips for Improving Leadership Skills Right Now 

Want a more specific place to start? Clear, honest communication opens the doors to improvement on all levels. 

Some tips: 

• Are you as a leader clear on what your role is and how it can be supported by others on the team?  
• Are you communicating honestly with team members so they know and understand how your time is being used to support the team and the bigger vision of the business? Clarify the key goals you have for each month, quarter or year as targets to strive for rather than fuzzy “expectations”.
• How do you share and communicate with your team? In-person? Online video? As a team or through 1-1 chats? How often?

For leaders used to having their team on-site, and now need to lead remotely, it’s important to recognize:

• What to follow up on and why it’s important to the bigger picture, not personally 
• Preferences for how one feels appreciated varies from person to person 
• What team members and employees are doing day to day, even if it doesn’t create a measurable deliverable 
• How to acknowledge the things you DON’T see 
• A good effort, regardless of the results
• Transparency is a trust builder and an effective social currency 
• How you can improve by asking for feedback from employees 

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, “70% of employees said they were satisfied with their relationship with their immediate supervisor, and 70% also said they were satisfied with the opportunities to use their skills and abilities in their work.”

Check in with your whole team regularly to understand how they are doing both personally and professionally. Also get curious and ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of each team member. By opening up and connecting with each person, you build trust, improve workplace morale, and find a natural back and forth that feels honest, not forced. 

Ready To See Your Leaders Excel?

Are you looking to get remarkable results at your organization?  By equipping your team with leadership communication skills that will up-skill your people and improve your bottom line you are committing to a workplace environment that supports your top talent. We invite you to download our complimentary guide on how to hold on to your top talent,or, schedule a free breakthrough session with us to gain insight on how we can partner with your organization to improve workplace performance!