The concept of working, studying, living our entire lives remotely manifested by the global shelter-in-place mandate is slowly reshaping our world -- in positive and negative ways.

In one respect, it is creating new technological advancements, allowing for a fresh workplace culture shift, even inspiring innovation; but on the other hand, it means loss of corporate structure, lack of employee interaction, and makes fostering enthusiasm far more difficult.

So how does a smart leader transition his or her methods to effectively embrace this new reality?

Stop thinking of it as temporary: Even if you do plan to discontinue remote working once the pandemic ends, thinking of it as temporary will prohibit you from establishing strong practices which can lose your valuable production. So, don't treat it as a band-aid and let things fall through the cracks with the intention of doing clean-up once things are back to "normal." Develop practical, efficient, and structured systems that could go the distance if need be.
Focus on output: Working remotely often means juggling work and family commitments simultaneously. As long as assignments are being completed, try not to get hung up on specifics or strict time frames. Providing flexibility empowers teams to complete their assignments in their own way.
Add a personal touch: Never underestimate the power of team building. Encourage employees to share a little about themselves and to check in about their lives at the top of every meeting. While it may not seem immediately productive, small talk can help create personal connections, build empathy, and strengthen working relationships.
Take a break from the screen: Unlike in person meetings, your energy and focus during video conferences requires a different level of concentration and since many of us are not driving to meetings or work, we can tend to pack our days with more than we should. Do take a break. Give your eyes a break. Give your mind a break.

More and more employers are discovering that there are many benefits to having their teams work remotely. With a few guidelines on how to maintain connection and keep morale high, you may find that working remotely works better for you!

If you feel that your leadership could benefit from a powerful and effective mindset shift, I would like to invite you to join me for a LIVE Webinar, The Leader's Journey: From Mindset to Impact on October 2 at 8am Pacific Time. Click to learn more and register today.

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LEADERSHIP SPOTLIGHT

João Stanganelli Junior

A grandfather in Brazil who suffers from vitiligo crocheted his first doll as a challenge from his wife. He gave it to his granddaughter.

Once the word got out, however, others in his social circle began requesting dolls for their loved ones. Dolls that looked like their children and grandchildren. Dolls who were in wheelchairs or had hearing aids - or had vitiligo!

Soon his online reach grew and now he has 21,000 followers many for whom he has crocheted specialty dolls. People across the world have expressed that his dolls - made in their likenesses - have helped their self-esteem and made them feel special.

And he said that now it’s getting hard to stop crocheting because of the joy he feels from people reaching out.

The grandfather said if he were to have a message for people who don’t understand vitiligo, it’s: “The spots I have are beautiful. What hurts me are the flaws in peoples’ characters.”

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Remote Work Podcast

From tips and tricks to managing your team during lockdown to introspection on the lessons that can be learned from being a remote leader, the podcast Inside Remote covers everything you might need to thrive in your leadership.

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Leadership is having the desire and ability to develop and grow in your response-agility to people and situations you find yourself in every day. When you are able to do this effectively, you are able to expand your leadership presence, communicate effectively, listen deeper, and develop those around you.

Sheeba Varghese is a Professional Certified Coach, speaker, and mentor to many. Her passion is to inspire and equip men and women to lead with excellence and authenticity within the spheres of influences that they are called to impact in life. The spheres may be in a home, on a team, in a classroom, among partners in a firm, or within management, to name a few.

In her time apart from clients, Sheeba enjoys time with her husband, Santosh, and their 2 sons, Sam and Steven. She loves great movies, a good book, decorating and eating at the wonderful restaurants of San Francisco.

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