Jean Paul Paulynice
Updated: March 15, 2021
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Give employees the emotional skills to work remotely
By Jean Paul Paulynice
COVID-19 has dramatically affected the way organizations and businesses communicate and operate. We have seen boarded-up storefronts, bankruptcies, and hallmarks of American capitalism fall. While some businesses have tried to adapt, others such as Hertz and retail giants like JCPenney have succumbed to the economic strain. What can your business do so you don’t meet this fate?
Remote employees must have strong social-emotional skills so such a shift won’t compromise a business’ objective and culture. As leaders in the business community, instilling positive social and emotional engagement in the workplace can do wonders to transform any business into a powerhouse.
Company morale and culture contribute to maintaining the divide between professional and personal spaces. Workspaces intermingled with personal space raise new challenges since employees may not have the same support structures as in an office. Issues may be easily communicated in an office setting but may go unaddressed when an employee works remotely. These issues can damage productivity and lead to redundant errors.
As a business owner or manager, you must address the importance of developing employees’ social-emotional skills. These skills include the ability to constructively communicate their strengths, weaknesses, and required resources so work can be delivered on time and without mistakes. Personal development and effective relationship management are just as important. An employee should understand their roles in an organization and coworkers’ identities and capabilities. In that way, they could communicate effectively within teams and divert work they can’t handle.
Companies should offer time to recuperate from stressful situations since typical support structures may be harder to implement remotely. Encourage employees to reach out to supervisors to address any issues privately so emotional wellness, productivity, and company morale aren’t impacted.
Remote work requires teams to build support structures across digital platforms. This can be done via Microsoft Teams or other instant messaging platforms. Team building is more important than ever, and employees should strive for professional development as they work alongside their coworkers in their own private personal spaces. Proper relationship management and team-building skills can mitigate the absence of in-person meetings.
COVID-19 has dramatically altered the way we approach work. As employees continue to work remotely, we must consider the skills required to successfully adapt to this new normal. Ask yourself what you can do to strengthen your emotional and social skills. We must address how we can build a work environment over digital space, which is inclusive, empathetic, positive, and engaging.
Jean Paul Paulynice is the founder of the Worcester education startup Empowering Confident Youth.
WBJ Web Partners
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