We’re living in an unprecedented time. With the entire workforce brought to its knees, many of us are finding ourselves in situations we never imagined. As leaders, we’ve had to make tough and sometimes emotional decisions about managing our teams and the businesses that we work for.
If you’re one of the leaders who’s lucky enough to be managing your staff remotely, you’ve been presented with a unique opportunity. Don’t take it for granted. When navigated correctly, you can come out of this on the other side with a more close-knit team and stronger leadership skills than you had before.
Meet virtually each day
Arrange to have a team meeting via Zoom or another virtual conference platform each morning. Depending on the overall personality of your team, you can even have themed days where everyone wears their favorite team colors, a silly hat, etc.
Getting everyone to chat face-to-face (yes, this means that all cameras are on) helps prevent isolation for professionals who are working at home. Even introverts occasionally need to connect with other human beings. But for those of us who may be extroverts, social distancing can be especially challenging.
Use this time to help get everyone hyped up for the workday. Review goals, discuss accomplishments from the previous day, and recognize individuals in front of the group. If you find this beneficial, consider adding another virtual team meeting during the mid- to late afternoon.
Speak to each employee individually
Depending on the size of your team, reach out via phone at least once a day to check on everyone. Ask if they’re hitting any speed bumps or working on any personal goals during this time. Use this opportunity to strengthen your personal connection with individuals while also encouraging them to focus on a goal.
Catch up on training
For some, working at home allows them to be more productive than in a distracting, busy work environment. Therefore, you may find that now is the best time to get everyone on board and caught up with specific training courses or credentialing that there isn’t time for otherwise. This time may even allow for team members to pick up new skills under the guidance of a mentor. When everyone is completing the same training, it unifies the team and sets a standard tone across the business so that the team will be stronger once they come together again.
Keep it together
Face it, even leaders may have moments where the COVID-19 crisis makes them feel stressed and emotional, especially when the livelihoods of others are impacted by the choices the leaders make. For the sake of our teams and their family members, do everything you can to:
● Remain calm
● Present your team with the facts
● Share your goals
● Discuss challenges
● Answer questions, even if the only answer you have is, “I don’t know”
● Focus on the end results and goals
Leaders are not immune to fear; they just have to handle it differently. As a manager, choose to filter that fear and offer one of the only sources of stability that your team has right now: their jobs. It’s a conscious choice that only you can make, but it will leave a lasting impact on your staff and their families for years to come.
Editor's note: This video is 12th in a DentistryIQ webinar series that addresses the impact of coronavirus on the dental industry. Subsequent episodes will be posted in the DentistryIQ Coronavirus Resource Center.
Heather Colicchio is the founder and president of the American Association of Dental Office Management (AADOM), the nation’s largest professional organization for dental office managers and practice administrators. AADOM teaches business management skills for the dental practice. Heather is passionate about small businesses and entrepreneurship.
