When things go south, organizations and individuals swirl and twirl. Perhaps you have a team that not only can’t “shoot straight,” they are engaged in target practice. Tempers flare. Good people get caught in the crossfire. Or even worse, other people begin to tattle. Work can begin to resemble a pre-school sandbox more than a professional environment.
An autonomous worker is an incredible asset. They are happier, more productive, loyal, more creative, and they experience greater wellbeing. Autonomous workers are the types of employees you want in your business. Yet, true workplace autonomy is surprisingly uncommon.
Under any circumstances, managing a remote team requires an over-emphasis on communication, a deep understanding of flexibility, and a variety of ways to maintain touch points with your teammates. Now, with so much uncertainty, fear, and sickness, we need to have even more compassion so that people have time to heal, adjust, and find their anchor within this "new normal."