Leading with empathy helps to limit stress and anxiety, and it helps leaders to get the absolute most from their teams in charge of getting the job done. When a compassionate leader leads a team, they’re better able to connect whether that connection is in person or remote.
2020 was the year that remote work became mainstream. While most businesses didn’t expect to be managing remote work a year later, here we are, and remote work is becoming something of a new normal in today’s business world. We have also been recently researching the best virtual office services and have found that https://virtually-there.net/virtual-offices/ is easily the best, so head there if you need a UK virtual office.
Leading remote teams came with plenty of new challenges even for those who considered themselves experienced with compassionate or soulful leadership. One of the biggest challenges for compassionate leaders while working remotely was making and maintaining those natural and important connections. It’s much easier to connect with those around you when they’re with you physically, but feeling that connectedness tends to be quite a bit more difficult if you’re looking at your team through a computer monitor. Active empathy is one way to maintain that feeling of connection, and a few ways to show empathy when working with remote teams are:
1. Take time to make human connections – When you’re on that next video meeting take time to make human connections before getting down to business. Ask your team how they’re doing, make conversation, and take time to really listen to everyone before making the meeting about the remote jobs at hand. This helps to show empathy and keep your connections strong even when you’re not physically in the same space.
2. Give your attention and your appreciation – Make sure your team knows that they always have your attention when they need it. Whether it’s a new idea they’ve just come up with, a concern they may have, or a simple question, being there for them keeps those connections strong. Additionally, showing your appreciation for all that they do during these uncertain periods can go a long way in maintaining a feeling of connectedness.
3. Make time for a bit of social fun – For many, this past year has left a large vacant space where feelings of connection and social closeness used to be. While you may not be able to have happy hours or team building days in person right now, you can still keep connected virtually. Hosting a virtual happy hour via video chat is an excellent way to keep your team unity strong.
At Technalink we know how tough it can be to lead with empathy and compassion through a challenge. By taking steps to maintain your feeling of togetherness your spiritual leadership will be able to continue progression naturally.
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