My team, although settled in to remote work, is showing signs of stress and even panic related to when things will “return to normal”. What can I do to keep everyone calm and focused?
During periods of change and uncertainty, stress rises in us because, we as humans, prefer certainty. 100%!!
During these times, bringing in a mindfulness facilitator to assist your team and you individually, can go a long way in mitigating stress and panic. Participating in a guided meditation, and developing small microhabits that help us in combating stress, will help to lower the body's natural response to real and perceived danger.
Another point to consider is implementing a program to help change the focus of your team away from "returning to normal". Reframing the challenges and/or victories your organization may have experienced in the last 30-60 days to see how you have grown, learned, improved, etc, is pivotal in developing resilience and changing the narrative to be a more empowering one. I've assisted one of my clients to begin a 30 day challenge to keep their staff engaged and focused on small actions that lead to results, rather than being focused on the "great unknown" of what our economy will look like when this all shakes out. Brainstorm what actions are in your control, and rally your team around those.
With remote teams, communication is best in small bites and more frequent. Communicating with transparency can be a powerful tool. The intent is to let people see you as authentic and “like them.” Also, you show humility in not knowing all the answers. To be transparent, you describe the impact that others have on you or your work. You share the facts., rather than putting your spin or interpretation on events. You make thoughtful choices about what to share and what not to share that serves the best interest of the individual and the organization. When communicating with transparency, be sure to stay measured: If you share too little of your thoughts and feelings others may begin to make up things to fill in the blanks and have a hard time trusting you; if you disclose too much, too quickly others may become uncomfortable and see it as “all about you”; just right and others understand the personal intent behind your actions and are more likely to trust you.