Leadership Strategies For a Virtual World
Today’s virtual workplace makes it more crucial than ever to have strong leadership abilities. While working remotely, there are some practices that have aided leaders in moving their nonprofits forward.
Be a leader who respects and believes in the individuals under your control. You should let your team members know that you are entirely confident in their capacity to carry out their duties. Make a special effort to convey confidence by rewarding good behavior.
Respect the privacy and circumstances of your team. Being adaptable and sensitive to the individual requirements of your staff members indicates your trust and regard for them and their circumstances.
Foster Intentional Communication
Being unable to wander the halls and have impromptu check-ins with your team is one of the major difficulties of working remotely. So keep your presence known and let your team members know you are there for them.
Even if the meetings are brief, establish a regular contact schedule to stay in touch and monitor the mood of your team. Additionally, consistently and proactively engage with people by asking them, “How are you doing?” or “How can I help you?” Doing this may help build trust and show your team members that you care about them.
Set Clear Goals, Expectations
To keep your team on track and sustain constant productivity while working outside the office, place a strong emphasis on creating clear goals and expectations. Clarity is important. Each team member should be aware of the expected results of their specific tasks as well as those of the whole group, and there should be a clear means to track advancement. Your team’s goals should be tough and attainable to maintain motivation. Set a mutually acceptable deadline for completion as well.
Be Transparent
Since the pandemic started, each of us has faced several personal and professional obstacles. You have to set the appropriate example for your team as a leader. Show your humanity, use humor, and discuss your individual interests.
Being upfront and honest with your team members reduces their anxiety and tension. Stress the value of taking breaks and giving your mental health top priority. It’s imperative to demonstrate to your team that not everyone needs to spend all their time in front of a computer, especially your less seasoned employees.
Show them how you have embraced working remotely and taken advantage of the flexibility it can provide. Furthermore, working at home has introduced new challenges such as technology issues, children crying, and dogs barking.
Expect that things will not always run smoothly. It’s especially important that leaders maintain their composure when things go sideways. Being patient, empathetic, and kind toward your team is paramount for each member’s well-being, productivity and success.
Recognize, Celebrate Accomplishments
The morale of your team can be raised by expressing gratitude and appreciation for individual and team accomplishments. Knowing each team member’s preferences is necessary to accomplish this efficiently. All of this is about creating and fostering a personal network.
You can get to know your employees better and learn more about their priorities by actively reaching out to them. For instance, an introverted individual might prefer a private commendation of a work well done than one in front of others. In addition, you are more likely to boost motivation and confidence when you correctly celebrate achievement.
However, you risk lowering your team’s morale and productivity if you infrequently recognize your team’s achievements or celebrate in a general manner that seems contrived or insincere.
Leadership is not a one-size-fits-all profession, especially in a virtual setting. However, leaders can keep their teams productive, connected, and thriving in a virtual environment by demonstrating trust in and respect for their team, communicating proactively and consistently, setting clear and measurable objectives, being transparent, setting a positive tone, and recognizing and celebrating success. Strong leadership during tumultuous times can not only assist your business preserve stability but can also put your organization in a position to prosper.
Learn more about leveraging technology by attending the July 23 Sunshine Certificate in Nonprofit Management class on Information Revolution (Managing Technology) on Saturday from 1 to 5 pm.
Source: https://www.thenonprofittimes.com/technology/4-leadership-strategies-for-a-virtual-world/
Author: Nicholas Lazzaruolo
TheNonprofittimes.com The Nonprofit Times has been a preferred partner since 1996 when John Mcllagquhan, Publisher,was a Keynote speaker at the Fifth Annual Nonprofit Conference and has published information about the Florida Association of Nonprofits in its monthly national publication.