It's OK If You Aren't Sir Isaac Newton
I was starting to write a newsletter on how to shape culture during this time of social distancing when many are working remotely. I got side-tracked deleting all the emails describing their COVID19 plans from companies I bought shoes at five years ago, had an oil change once seven years ago and made a hotel reservation at nine years ago. (Seriously, what was with that?)
While most of these were harmless emails, employees around the globe were receiving similar emails about how their managers were “monitoring the situation.” Messages that lacked empathy or helpful guidance. Not all work environments can support remote work. But I kept hearing examples where it was possible, managers were already working from their homes, and employees were waiting for permission. Or mangers telling parents to get a babysitter for the workday, implying a lack of trust and ignoring the purpose of social distancing.
Then memes started popping up on my social media about Sir Isaac Newton using the plague to develop the theory of gravity. The messages encouraged “be Newton during this time, write a novel, tackle a big project, use your time wisely.” I feel these send the wrong message.
While intentions were good, we will each respond to this time differently. Some people will block out the extra noise and tackle projects unfazed. Some will make lists and schedules for themselves and kids. Some will use the time to connect and check in on friends. Others may use the time creatively. And some will call it success if everyone in the home bathes most days. All approaches are great! Apart from not social distancing yourself and hoarding groceries and supplies, there is no wrong way to do this.
All over the world, people are impacted by the changes of the past weeks and months and will be for many weeks. People feel stress from loved ones falling ill, children being out of school, working virtually, losing jobs, cancelling life events and plans, and figuring out how to get supplies to social distance. Parents are trying to do their normal job and help kids with home schooling simultaneously. Add on top of it investments and retirement savings taking a bit hit and no clear answers or timelines. Uncertainty has taken up space as a terrible roommate in our minds. This time requires a different perspective from leaders.
Will the engagement of your employees take a hit? Yes, probably. But you don’t have to make it worse. A little compassion can help people reset and navigate this time. Trying to control situations will only make it worse.
If you are a manager, check in with people on your teams more frequently. Checking in doesn’t mean micromanaging or checking-up on someone. It means:
Ask people how they are doing. People are navigating a lot of pressures. Start first with the human before you shift into work.
Increase check-ins. talk to each employee about the frequency to have check-in conversations. These sessions aren’t to micromanage. Listen and understand what obstacles each person is facing and how you can help remove them. Ask where the employee needs help.
Provide flexibility with hours. Many people are navigating childcare, helping their kids with school, and doing their job. If there are core hours where people are needed, discuss them. For the rest, provide flexibility. Let people choose when they get work done and trust them to do so.
Check on your extroverts! Now is the time to make sure your extroverts have outlets for connecting and processing thoughts. Set expectations in advance that you will use video cameras for meetings.
Make waffles, not spaghetti. The many open-ended questions may cause mental swirl. Focus your employees on what to pay attention to at work and what to ignore. Companies are great at starting projects and terrible at stopping them. This is a great time to ask what should be stopped or what isn’t having impact.
Increase psychological safety. Because working patterns and environments have shifted, things may be missed. Take extra care to ask questions and make sure you are hearing all perspectives.
What am I missing? What hasn’t been considered? How might this go wrong?
This is a unique time. Changes may be needed to our approach. What changes do you feel we need to make?
Where do you think we will experience delays? What recommendations do you have?
I want to simplify as much as possible, what should be stopped?
Thank each person frequently and specifically. Thanking someone for sharing an alternate perspective, checking in on a colleague, or bringing humor and levity to a meeting will encourage them to do more of those things.
***
Want to receive more articles like this one? Sign up for Brain Food here.
Below are additional, free resources for yourselves and children that may be of interest for the upcoming days and weeks.
Virtual Tours
Take a virtual Museum tours, from world class museums around the globe. I’ve included some links for some of my favorite museums to explore: Musee D’Orsay in Paris, Guggenheim Bilbao in Spain, Van Gogh Museum in the Netherlands, Belvedere in Austria, The Met in NY, the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Art Institute in Chicago, Museum of Fine Arts in Boston.
Take a beautiful online tour of some U.S. National Parks or tune into web cameras of parks (and get tips of when to tune in.)
Ride a roller coaster from your home, include Disney rides without the queue.
Watch a Broadway play for free
Arts and Crafts
Download art to print and color from various museums
Learn magic tricks freeonline that use common household objects
Practice your drawing& doodling skills with Mo Willems, Kennedy Center Artist in Residence
Storytelling and Meditation: (apps with free resources)
Calm: has guided meditations, music and stories
Headspace: guided meditations and articles
10% Happier: offers free guided meditations
Listen to Josh Gad (aka Olaf in Frozen) read stories
Learn
Watch a TED talk: TED began as a conference focused on Technology, Entertainment and Design and has now expanded to all topics. Each talk is 18 min or less. One of my favorites is Everyday Leadership with Drew Dudley.
Khan Academy provides free online tools to educate students of all ages. There are a variety of topics and languages supported. Select the “Courses” drop down from the upper left and choose a category. You typically have to create an account, but courses are free.
Ever want to study at Harvard. Cornell, Yale, Princeton or Columbia? Take free online courses through Class Central. Search for the name of the university and explore the courses available. Most are free.
So maybe you will be Newton and create your most important work and maybe you won’t. Both approaches are fine. Either way, we can do this with some grace and support for each other.
