Working from home—whether or not it was a business priority for some companies—is now a necessity for most companies. Social distancing is one of the only proven tactics for curbing virus outbreaks (although the U.K. was experimenting with a controversial herd immunity approach). According to the NIH, social distancing was associated with a 29% to 37% reduction in H1N1 transmission rates. So social distancing has become the new business buzzword, replacing hot desking in the common corporate speak of the day. Major companies are asking their people to WFH to keep their workforce safe and productive. In fact 46% of American businesses have implemented remote-work policies over the past few weeks.
Jake Schwartz, the CEO of General Assembly, a digital training provider put it this way: “Getting comfortable leaning into the technology to replicate in-person collaboration is key to fostering productive remote environments. But it’s not just about technology. Establishing trust, ensuring accountability, and fostering good collaboration are critical to a successful remote work environment.”
In this article, I share advice from veteran WFH professionals and guidance from experts who can help you be productive—and happy—while working from home. Specifically, I focus on how to be productive and how to remain connected to your team when you no longer need a badge to get your into your office.
BE PRODUCTIVE
Establish a routine. Chelsea Rivera, head of content of Honest Paws, a 100% remote company, suggests that you have a routine—similar to the one you had before WFH. She says, “Set an alarm and have a consistent morning habit or ritual.” She also recommends getting dressed as if you're going into the office. “Even put makeup on or fix your hair if you like. Anything that gives you the sense that you are not home in your PJs.”
Create structure. WeLab CEO Simon Loong adds that setting up a place at home where you exclusively work, and committing to consistently working there (your mini “home office”) will make you more comfortable and productive when you’re working remotely. Patty Morrissey, an organization expert at KonMari, suggests that you structure your office and your time as well, “creating a list of 1 to 3 action items for the day. Make room before you start your day,” she advises. “Clutter can get in the way of productivity.”
Move around. Career coach and author Roy Cohen says, “When we have an office to go to, we get exercise simply because of the commute. It is easy to grow lazy, sloppy, and discouraged when you have no place to go. So plan in some physical activity between your Skype calls.” Sondra Dryer, global head of brand and attraction at Alexander Mann Solutions, goes one step further. She recommends taking conference calls moving around your house. “If I don’t have to be running a presentation or referring to a document, I’m typically walking around my house. I actually find when I’m delivering an important presentation, or pitch to a client, standing up and moving around as if I’m presenting on stage strengthens the impact of my delivery.”
Reduce stress. Stress is inevitable, especially in the wake of the coronavirus. The ever-present news outlets spewing data about outbreaks and deaths can be paralyzing. Of course, the stress of COVID-19 is compounded when you have had to completely change your work environment. Change is hard for most people—and that challenge is amplified when it’s in the middle of a global crisis. Your productivity will suffer if you’re in a constant state of stress. So first, turn off the TV and avoid visiting news sites while you’re wearing your work hat. Avoidance can be a powerful stress reducer. Next, “Identify your favorite and most convenient de-stressor,” says stress coach and creator of the CalmCast stress reduction app, Jordan Friedman: “Stress management is personal. For some, listening to music or the sound of rain on a tin roof is relaxing. For others, deep breathing exercises or watching funny videos does the trick. It’s important to know your stress reduction preferences and have at hand the tools you need.”
BE CONNECTED
Part of the productivity challenge of WFH comes from the loss of the human connection you have with your colleagues, your team and others throughout the company. Buffer's 2018 State of Remote Work report revealed that the biggest struggle remote workers experience is loneliness. It can be hard to build and maintain relationships from afar.
Build trust. Kevin Borders, co-CEO of Collage.com (a 100% remote company) says, “It isn’t the separation itself that makes building trust difficult, but the fact that separation makes it harder to show vulnerability, which is the basis of trust.” He suggests “creating a mistake-friendly culture, the cornerstone of a healthy remote workplace where people can express vulnerability in a culture where it’s okay to share mistakes.”
Howard Brown, CEO at ringDNA, a revenue-acceleration platform, says it’s important to meet regularly “to ramp up interaction with team members to ensure everyone stays engaged and informed. It keeps everything running smoothly. Teams can use these meetings to review current initiatives, discuss blockers, find resolutions, and plan next steps.”
Lenovo VP David Rabin says to ensure team cohesion, “In addition to having a daily meeting at the same time every day, keep a team chatroom open. A single open chatroom shared between the group will likely see even more chatting than the video channel because it will become a combination of shop talk water-cooler chats, and late night 'you had to be there' jokes all in one.”
Be friendly. Sondra Dryer schedules virtual happy hours with her team, which is based all over the country. “You bring any beverage of your choice (alcoholic or non), usually around 5 p.m. on a Thursday, and there are only two rules: 1) be on video and 2) do NOT talk about work!”
Have a best friend at work? Keep that relationship going. You normally check in with each other—sometimes a few times a day when you’re both in the office. Don’t ditch that routine. Gallup research determined that one of the biggest drivers of workplace engagement is having a best friend at work.
It all adds up to a quest for balance. On one hand, you need find ways to stay focused when you WFH. On the other hand, you need to find ways to stay connected with your fellow humans. As you hit your stride, you’ll be able to play a positive role in transforming corporate culture for a new virtual era.