by Jason Miller Something happened in 2020 besides a global pandemic that sent the world reeling. The very idea of work and what it looked like changed, and even as we emerge from the COVID-19 era, things are not returning to pre-pandemic norms. Most leaders face a “new normal” when it comes to the management and engagement of employees. A part of this is a workforce that is … [Read more...]
The Most Important Word for New Leaders to Learn
A few years ago, the concept of leading remotely was foreign and scary to a lot of supervisors and managers. New leaders, in particular struggled with the notion of trying to do all the “leadership stuff,” when people weren’t in the same location. But now there is an entirely new generation of leaders who got their first assignments either just as remote work was booming, or … [Read more...]
Engagement is NOT Your Boss’s Job
All companies worry about employee engagement, especially those who work remotely. There are books written (see below) about what a problem it is, and how to better engage with your people. It’s a big deal that will cost you if you ignore it. Turnover and lost productivity are just two of the problems you'll have to deal with when your people don’t care enough to give that … [Read more...]
A Letter from a Long-Distance Teammate
by Chip R. Bell Dear Long-Distance Leader. If you will provide a partnership-like relationship with me, it will free you up from having to “snoopervise” me. Here are my aspirations for how we might work together in the future. I will work harder, longer, and with greater zeal when I am convinced my work matters. I am not a human form of a capital asset; I need a purpose. … [Read more...]
Are You Playing Favorites with Remote Employees?
Many managers complain that they feel like they have to be Mom or Dad to their teams. Of all the similarities between leading remote employees and being a parent, the most obvious is that you’re not supposed to have favorites. SPOILER ALERT: you probably do. It’s not intentional, and if you’re wise you’re on guard against charges of favoritism and bias. But we display our … [Read more...]