Sandra Buckle is leading a 'Managing Performance Remotely' session on 28th October, 2020.
As lockdown drags on and most people continue to work remotely, the challenges of managing performance and empowering teams without the spontaneity and informality of office interactions are taking their toll.
We can no longer rely on those impromptu across the desk feedback conversations or a quick catch up in the kitchen while making a coffee – instead it takes time, energy and focus to ensure that every member of our team is getting the support they personally need.
Unfortunately, there is never a “one size fits all” solution to management. Great leaders make it their priority to understand each team member’s personal strengths and weaknesses, what motivates and demotivates them, their preferred working styles and how they like to receive feedback.
Being in lockdown is not a reason to stop performance managing our people. More than ever, people need clarity and hope at a time of so much uncertainty. This can be achieved by being clear what is expected of them, giving them ongoing motivating feedback on how well they are performing, and providing appropriate support to help them improve, especially when their performance isn’t up to scratch.
Help yourself to help your team members by taking a step back and asking yourself the following questions:
When did I last ask each of my team what they are currently enjoying about their job and what their biggest challenges are?
Are my team really clear what is expected of them?
Am I letting go enough to enable them to deliver in an empowered way?
Or have I dumped work and left them struggling without even realising?
And when did I last give each of them honest and helpful feedback to enable them to improve?
Then book time in their diaries to address these with them through a remote video call (insist on the video, phone calls just don’t cut it with these conversations) and coach them to find their own solutions to their current challenges. You won’t regret the investment of time as you will get it back in improved motivation and people going out of their way to deliver the extra mile.
Sandra Buckle is a leading PRCA coach and trainer, delivering leadership and management development programmes to both agencies and inhouse teams. As a former director of communications in the NHS, and an ex agency director of talent development, her clients love her “practical”, “inspiring” and “empathetic” approach which is all about empowering people to take control of their own development, identifying and addressing barriers to productivity and progression.