We’ve all been there. A project falls through, or a task doesn’t meet our expectations, and our initial instinct might be to zero in on what went wrong, and by extension, who’s to blame. But let’s have a heart-to-heart. In this digital age where remote work has become the new norm, we can’t afford to “dress down” employees. Instead, let’s turn these situations into opportunities of learning and growth. Don’t you wish your manager did this, instead of making you feel like shit?
Now, I’m not saying mistakes shouldn’t be addressed. They should. But how we go about it makes a world of difference, especially in a remote setting where non-verbal cues can get lost in translation. Here’s my take.
Create a Safe Space
First things first, criticism should always be constructive. When I chat with my team, my goal is to make them feel safe. Safe to admit mistakes, safe to ask questions, and safe to be an adult. Remember, everyone’s way of working comes from different corners of the world with different backgrounds, pressures, and contexts. Understanding and empathy should be our guiding lights.
Offer Real-time Feedback
In the remote world, it’s easy to lose track of time. Days turn into weeks, and before you know it, a month’s gone by. Don’t let feedback wait. Whether it’s a quick Slack message or a brief Microsoft Teams call, immediate feedback not only keeps everyone on track but also ensures that minor issues don’t snowball into bigger problems.
Replace “You” with “We”
When things go awry, ditch the blame game. Instead of saying, “You did this wrong,” try “Let’s see how we can improve this together.” It’s subtle, but this shift can do wonders. It fosters a sense of collaboration and unity. It’s also important to remember to treat everyone with respect, don’t make the whole team feel like they are at fault, if just one team member needs some extra attention and help.
Invest in Learning
The digital landscape is ever-evolving, and the skills we need today might not be the ones we need tomorrow. Invest in your team’s professional growth. Encourage them to take courses, attend webinars, or just dive deep into a topic they’re passionate about.
When employees know you care about their growth, they’ll go the extra mile. This is a great way to highlight and identify your best team members. They will embrace this opportunity and bring it back to the business over and over again.
Celebrate, Big and Small
Every cloud has a silver lining. Even the failures. We are often reminded to celebrate success, but even when something goes wrong, there’s always something that went right. Make it a point to celebrate those moments too. Not only does it boost morale, but it also helps cultivate a positive mindset.
It sounds counter intuitive, but gift giving and praise can go a long way after a major failure. During my time as a leader I’ve had my heart stopping moments, one in particular resulted in a major customer losing four days worth of irreplaceable data. The team put their heads together and found a solution, and made sure this wouldn’t happen again.
I could have made an example of those who were at fault, but instead I gave everyone involved a gift voucher to spend on themselves and their family to help reset some of the stress caused by this event. This small act only cost the business a small amount, but built a great amount of goodwill with the team and showed that failure and learning from those moments is important and can be rewarded.
To all the aspiring leaders and managers out there, it is my opinion that the key to a successful remote business (or any business really) isn’t just about getting the job done. It’s about building a team that’s resilient, adaptive, and, above all, united in its pursuit of your business core values. So, the next time things don’t go as planned, let’s take a step back and ask ourselves, “How can I turn this into an opportunity?”
Stay inspired and keep leading with heart!