4 Things That Can Make You a More Empathetic Leader

Business

There’s no such thing as too much knowledge about how to be a stellar leader. When it comes to doing business, and doing it properly at that, one crucial factor must never be overlooked: the people making it all happen.

Employees of any company come from different walks of life and have different tastes, standpoints and preferences, and managing such a picturesque array of personalities has never been an easy task.

However, with the rise of remote work, things have become even more complicated, especially for businesses relying on remote workers from different countries who come from different cultures.

I’d say that cross-cultural training should be the first step to consider, but don’t be domineering. Rather than delivering actual training via streamlined methods, rely on team members to get to know one another. The only thing you need to do is provide them with the latest tech, set up communication patterns, and throw in an event or two to engage them.

Still, for that strategy to work, you’ll need to ensure that all employees are on the same page, which is best done by onboarding training, so let’s start from the beginning.

Understand It All Begins With Onboarding

Even before you think of hiring new employees, you should have a new hire training plan ready. Not just any plan though. You’ll need to take into account all the perplexities of hybrid work models and different personalities from different cultures joining the team.

Company values may be the same for everyone, but different cultures have different takes on the methods these values are being upheld.

Simply put, you’ll need to do a lot of brainstorming and eventually come up with best practices and a solid training program that will help new hires (don’t forget transfer hires, either!) fit in immediately.

Be More Flexible With Schedules and Working Models

Work models, now, seem to be a rather burning issue for many businesses, and not without a good reason.

With the rise of remote work, freelancing and digital nomadism, theirs is suddenly a far bigger market to take into account and a better access to talents worldwide you would have deemed impossible only a couple of years ago.

However, to actually manage to hire the best of the best, you’ll need to offer what they’re looking for and that is, more often than not, flexibility, a specific contract type and attractive learning opportunities. Keep in mind that many countries are offering visas for digital nomads, which means that even U.S. employees living abroad may be looking for a different contract type.

Let’s start with hybrid work models, as you’ll want to keep your loyal employees scared to death of modernization.

Basically, there are six options to choose from, as follows:

  1. Partially remote work, with flexible office space – no permanent offices; rented flex space used for periodic collaboration (but not connectivity)
  2. Almost entirely on premises – limited remote work, large office space the majority of managers and workers
  3. Partially remote work, multiple hubs – multiple offices with the workforce dispersed among them
  4. Partially remote work, large office space –  the majority of managers and workers spend most, but not all, of their time at the office
  5. Almost entirely off premises – mostly remote work with no office space
  6. Multiple microhubs – management and employees are dispersed across small microhubs located in different cities (or countries, depending on the scope of your business operations)

Look for Ways to Improve Your Frontline Process

Frontline workers have it the most difficult, and no wonder there. These people usually have to deal with manual work and obsolete business processes, which must change immediately.

Think in terms of your remote teams: they have access to the latest tech, so why would it be any different for your frontline workers?

Firstly, use timesheet templates and tracking hours apps to eliminate useless manual tasks that only contribute to your employees wasting their time and losing their nerves in the process.

Next on, make an effort to ALWAYS apply field service best practices.

Here are some hints:

Service Best Practices

1.      Schedule services at the right time and place, taking day-to-day workflow into account

2.      Track the costs; they should include job costs, contractor and equipment costs

3.      Track job progress by enabling better communication

Project Best Practices

1.      Organize project phases

2.      Manage project phases

3.      Track costs and budgets in real-time

4.      Manage billing and invoicing

Maintenance Best Practices

1.      Test your assets in the field

2.      Keep your assets organized

3.      Plan asset servicing in the field

Offer Options for Data Security

Last but not least, offer some perks to your employees. Options for data security may be a good starting point, especially when it comes to your remote employees.

Think about other benefits as well and don’t shy away from anonymous feedback. Ask your employees what they are looking for!

After all, that’s the easiest way to stay on the same page and make everyone happy and productive.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *