cxo voice
  • Home
  • News
  • View Points
  • Leaders Talk
  • Cyber Security
  • AI
  • Blockchain
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • View Points
  • Leaders Talk
  • Cyber Security
  • AI
  • Blockchain
No Result
View All Result
Leaders Interview, IT and Technology News India | CXO VOICE
No Result
View All Result

Home » News » Working from home: lessons to maintain leadership during the lockdown

Working from home: lessons to maintain leadership during the lockdown

Srinivasa Addepalli by Srinivasa Addepalli
April 22, 2020
Reading Time: 4min read
Working from home: lessons to maintain leadership

Image: Srinivasa Addepalli- Founder & CEO, GGA

Share on FacebookShare on TwitterShare on LinkedinShare via E-Mail

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced all of us to experiment with the way we work and live. Some CHROs I spoke to said that only 1-2% of their employees used to work from home earlier permanently, and perhaps 30-40% would occasionally work from home. Within a couple of weeks, they had to shift to 95-100% of all employees working remotely. This is a massive experiment that every organization is conducting right now. 

We will move back to some form of ‘normalcy,’ but it is clear that there will not be a reversal to the way of working before the lockdown. Technology in the form of high-speed broadband, video-calling and conference tools and other productivity applications have facilitated this remote working, allowing most of us to continue to meet our professional commitments. It has forced us to rethink norms of communication, collaboration and productivity.

Challenging as it is, I believe that this crisis is an opportunity for us to reinforce and reveal leadership traits. Here are five principles that might come in handy. 

1. Hyper-Communicate

People turn to leaders to find a sense of direction in times of panic. Your ability to take a broader view of the challenges and opportunities, can, therefore, provide reassurance to anxious team members. Use a mix of group and personal conversations to stay in touch, formally and informally. Practice management by walking around virtually – don’t wait for formal calls to be set up. Even in normal times, you need to communicate a lot; in a crisis, dial it up even more. 

2. Close the Loop

Most leaders believe that communication is about transmitting information, but what use is that if you do not close the loop. Find ways to check if the team has understood what you had in mind. Use the technique of playback: ask them to say in their own words what they heard from you. It is also useful to conduct regular ‘quizzes’ to ensure that there is a recall of your communication. Closing the loop is also finding opportunities to listen to other points of view or new ideas that may be worth pursuing.

3. Energize your Team

While we practice social distancing, all of us are thirsting for social and emotional connections. Adapt to the restrictions in creative ways – it could be a super-hero costume party or a bring your own coffee (or chai/chocolate/cake/champagne… BYOC) session or an online game that involves your extended team, and maybe, even their families. These events or games can be designed to reinforce your strategic priorities or organization values and culture and delivered virtually. 

4. Recognize the Stress

We are in uncharted waters. Not everyone thrives when faced with challenges. The uncertainty, coupled with a lack of physical connection with others, has resulted in many employees feeling isolated and disengaged. Recognize that some of your team members may be stressed, over-worked, or confused. Give them the time, tools, and encouragement to find a new rhythm, even if it means a reduction in productivity. Don’t let your energy and eagerness force some to go into a shell. 

5. Learn for the Future

This unprecedented lockdown will change work practices in many organizations. Experiment with new tools, practices, and models. A CEO told me that he has shut his office that housed a few hundred software developers; he intends to move to a permanent remote work model, with an occasional team meeting at a banquet hall. What aspects of this lockdown would you like to make permanent? This can be extended to your suppliers, partners, and customers too.

Leadership is challenging at the best of times. And now, more so than ever, leaders must exhibit the tenacity and learning mindset that is critical for uncertainty. Use this lockdown to build resilience in your team, and prepare for the new normal that is coming.

Note: The author of this article is Srinivasa Addepalli is the Founder & CEO of GlobalGyan, an ed-tech firm that helps students and managers build their careers. Views expressed in this article are his own.

Also Read: Does My Insurance Cover Death Due to Coronavirus?

Also Read: Four Factors will help Sales Operations Leaders to Mitigate COVID-19 Impact

Also Read: Five key factors every SME/ MSME needs to follow to ensure speedy business revival post COVID-19

Tags: CoronavirusCOVID-19EntrepreneursLeadershipLeadership entrepreneurslearningview points
Srinivasa Addepalli

Srinivasa Addepalli

Srinivasa Addepalli is the Founder & CEO of GlobalGyan, an edtech firm that helps students and managers build their careers

Related Posts

impact of Covid-19 on retirement planning
Insurance

The impact of Covid-19 on retirement planning

December 1, 2020
Business productivity
Business

How Technology Can Help Leaders Boost Business Productivity During Pandemic Outbreak

November 27, 2020
Enterprises, and MSMEs IoT
Leaders Talk

IoT is now seen as an essential enabler for the enterprises to be future ready : Joyjeet Bose

November 30, 2020
Cloud Security and Digital Transformation, the Top Priority for Enterprises as Pandemic Drags On
Cloud

Cloud Security and Digital Transformation, the Top Priority for Enterprises as Pandemic Drags On

November 17, 2020
Wi-Fi 6 Technology, Marthesh Nagendra
Technology

Wi-Fi 6: India Gears Up for the Next Generation of Wi-Fi Technology

September 15, 2020
protect against insider threats: CyberSecurity practices
Cyber Security

How to protect against insider threats: CyberSecurity practices

August 18, 2020
Protection of Intellectual Property with Data Loss Prevention
Cyber Security

Protection of Intellectual Property with Data Loss Prevention

July 31, 2020
Safety Tips for Working Remotely
Cyber Security

Five Safety Tips for Working Remotely

July 30, 2020
Load More
Next Post
Facebook Invests $5.7 bn in Reliance Jio

Facebook Invests $5.7 bn in Reliance Jio

Discussion about this post

ADVERTISEMENT

Expert Views

Insurance Underwriting
Insurance

5 Ways New-age Technologies Can Transform Underwriting

February 5, 2021
Key Fintech Trends to look out for in 2021
Finance

Key Fintech Trends to look out for in 2021

January 8, 2021
Banking cybersecurity
Cyber Security

Why Banks and NBFCs must exercise extra cybersecurity measures during festival times?

December 11, 2020
impact of Covid-19 on retirement planning
Insurance

The impact of Covid-19 on retirement planning

December 1, 2020
Cyber Security Awareness
Cyber Security

Five Ways To Enhance Cyber Security Awareness

November 18, 2020

Get Latest Update

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives newsletter direct to your inbox!

ADVERTISEMENT

Leaders Inerviews

Enterprises, and MSMEs IoT
Leaders Talk

IoT is now seen as an essential enabler for the enterprises to be future ready : Joyjeet Bose

-
Security While Working Remotely interview with Filip Coftas
Cyber Security

Security While Working Remotely [Interview]

-
Akita Security Device Help you Protect your Security During COVID-19 [Interview with Zakir Hussain]
COVID-19

Can Akita Security Device Help you Protect your Security During COVID-19 [Interview]

-
digital transformation and customer experience Newgen software
Interview

Digital Transformation Journey helps Newgen Software Improve Customer Experience [Interview]

-

Entrepreneur

Technology Adoption For Entrepreneurs

Volunteering management is the need of the Hour

Significance Of Ethical Entrepreneurship In The Post COVID-19 Economy

Five tips for entrepreneurs to tide over the coronavirus crisis

CXO VOICE is a premier resource for the enterprises, SMBs and Startups CXOs and business leaders, It enables CXOs and business executives gain access key insights, experts views, analysis, business strategy, and leaders interviews on what’s happening in the market and its impact.

Connect with us

Easy Links

  • Cryptocurrency
  • Event
  • Blockchain
  • Press Release
  • Resources & Downloads

Write Us

[email protected]

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives newsletter direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Feedback

© 2018 CXO VOICE

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • View Points
  • Leaders Talk
  • Cyber Security
  • AI
  • Blockchain

© 2018 CXO VOICE