As leaders start to bring their teams back into the office, there are many things for them to consider. What are the health guidelines? Can we hug? Can we shake hands? How does a hybrid model work? How do I keep both in-person and remote workers happy and motivated?
I can’t answer the questions about shaking hands or hugging – check your local public health guidelines for that. However, I can give you some tips on keeping your team happy and motivated.
Start with a Team Tune Up.
Just as you need to tune up your car every so often, it’s important to take some time periodically to tune up your team. Especially when that team has been disassembled and in the garage (metaphorically speaking) for more than a year.
Here’s how.
Begin by listening. Make your first in-person meeting an extended team check in. Go around the room and give each team member the opportunity to express what’s on their mind and how they feel about being back. You might ask questions like: What did you miss the most? What did you learn about yourself? How have you changed? What are you most looking forward to now that we’re back? Encourage them to ask questions and share their concerns. Listen and respond. And be sure to engage remote team members in the conversation as well.
Communicate. Cover any state or county public health guidelines that team members need to be aware of, such as reporting COVID symptoms or vaccination status.
Re-establish Rules of Engagement. In a subsequent meeting, allocate some time – as a team – to review/amend/establish your team Rules of Engagement. Consider what guidelines you need to change or add to reflect the current work situation (e.g., a hybrid team) and to avoid issues or misunderstandings.
Here are some topics your rules should address:
- Communication. What is the preferred method – text, email, Slack, phone, in person – for sharing information vs. decision making vs. resolving conflict?
- Meetings. Is there a limit on length? How will you handle chronic late comers? How will you ensure that everyone is heard (at the meeting rather than post-meeting in a hallway discussion)?
- Decisions. How will you make them? A vote? Who’s the tie breaker?
- Conflict. What’s your process for managing it? What will you do when it escalates?
Other potential topics are prioritization, accountability, coordinating task hand off, reviewing each other’s work. And don’t forget to include a general rule about good behavior – kindness, respect, integrity.
Review/reset team and organizational goals. Be sure everyone clearly understands team and organizational goals and expectations for meeting those goals. Work with your team to create an environment where they hold themselves – and each other – accountable for results. Include regular progress reports, open sharing of mistakes and lessons learned, and team discussions on how to move through roadblocks.
Encourage open communication and constructive feedback. Perhaps the most important team tune up tip is reminding them about the importance of open communication. You to the team, the team to you, the team among themselves. It is the overarching element of all these tips. Communicate the purpose and goals. Communicate to individuals and the team how they contribute. Communicate the value of diversity. Communicate expectations to create mutual accountability. Talk about things. Even the hard things. And provide consistent and constructive feedback.
Also, be sure to spend some time with each team member for a more personal check in and to acknowledge their contribution to the team.
Till next time, keep it real.
Karen
