Working from home is a topic that makes a lot of people squirm. Many employees want it so badly they can hardly stand it. Others dread the thought of it. Managers are nervous about whether employees will actually work. And many senior leaders just hate everything about it. It’s controversial, even as more and more companies embrace the possibilities.
As we wake up this Monday morning, working from home is a stark reality for many thousands as we practice social distancing to keep our communities safe from the spread of Coronavirus. The reality: many companies haven’t done the work to prepare leaders or employees to be successful in this model.
Here are some tips on how to be successful if you yourself are newly transitioning to work from home.
1. Acknowledge and appreciate the benefit.
When companies introduce work-from-home programs, they're going out on a limb. More than likely, your leadership team has battled over the issue - well before the Coronavirus forced their hand. Show your appreciation for the opportunity to be home and safe while still earning a living. So many don’t have this luxury.
2. Work as hard or harder than you do in the office.
The biggest concern companies have about employees working from home is that team members won't actually be working. Employees might take advantage of freedom from supervision. It's so easy to get distracted with ‘real life.’ Commit to work as diligently at home as you would in the office. Mindset is key here.
3. Stay accountable to results and prove it.
At some point, someone on the leadership team will ask the question about whether employees are productive at home. The only right answer is "as productive" or "more productive." Know what you need to achieve, do it, and document your results so there’s no question as to your performance. This is your livelihood.
4. Be visible and engaged with co-workers.
It's hard enough to create a culture of collaboration when people are in a shared office space. Send everyone home and collaboration can fall apart. It's a real and valid concern for companies. Be visible and engage with your co-workers online, via phone and web conferencing. Isolation isn’t healthy for any business or employee.
5. Create separation between "work" and "life."
Your life may feel a little chaotic given the sudden change in your work. Create an environment for work at home. Set a distinct space for work to whatever extent you can. Don’t let your personal life be too present while you work, and don’t let your work invade your home. You’ll begin to resent the crossover.
6. Structure helps. A lot.
Flexibility in all of its glory can be paralyzing at times and decrease productivity. A lot. Don’t wake up every morning contemplating when or how you’ll work. “Trigger” active work by having a consistent routine for how you’ll settle in. Mine: Lights on, window open, Mac awake, go get coffee, and when I come back it’s go time.
7. Take advantage of flexibility… but earn trust.
Enjoy the benefits that come from working at home, but only to a degree. Work in your fuzzy slippers. Slouch to your desk without cleaning up if you want. Go for a run over lunch. Flexibility is the biggest perk that comes from working at home. But earn your employer’s trust by keeping yourself in check and doing your work. Show your character and competence with consistency.
8. Decide how you’ll care for children (or dogs or others) while working.
It’s hard to be a great employee and a great caretaker at the same time. Many of you have kids or dogs at home. Children aren't able to respect work time or work spaces naturally, and neither are dogs. If you need quiet time, have a whole tookit of distractions to offer. If you are on video or a phone call, isolate yourself as possible. You have options, but this doesn’t take care of itself by accident. You need a plan.
9. Respect the need for inspection and validation.
Employers can't just cross their fingers and hope that the entire workforce is being productive. It's completely reasonable to "inspect" achievements and results. You may be required to check in or review progress more than normal. With the benefit of working from home, you have to accept the burden of demonstrating results.
Bottom Line
Transitioning to a distributed work-from-home model is tricky for both employers and employees. Especially when done without a lot of planning on anyone’s part due to urgent necessity.
Your role in making this type of change successful is important. It all starts with showing appreciation and working hard. New levels of accountability are required to establish and keep trust over time. You have to make an effort to collaborate in real-time and use all the tools available to you to stay connected. You also have the challenge of creating distinction between work and life, so you don't let one start to blend too deeply into the other.
It's easy to slip into patterns that result in you taking advantage of your freedom and flexibility without even realizing it. You may end up not giving as much as you should to your employer. Children make things all the more complicated if they're home while you're working; it requires thoughtful planning to allow everyone at home to be at their best. Including yourself.
The Final Word:
If you have the opportunity to work from home, take full advantage of all the goodness that comes from greater flexibility and independence. Hold yourself accountable to do great work. Make it your goal that there's never any question that you're contributing your best work. And remember just how many of your community members may find themselves out of work, with no near-term options to pay their rent or feed their families. Be thankful if you’re one of the lucky few who can continue to work and earn a living in isolation.
You’ve got this!
For more insights on how to succeed in business without eating your soul for breakfast, head on over to my blog at www.soulforbreakfast.com until our transfer of the blog to this page is complete.