cxo voice
  • Home
  • News
  • Leaders Talk
  • Expert Opinion
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Leaders Talk
  • Expert Opinion
No Result
View All Result
Leaders Talk and Latest Tech News | CXO VOICE
No Result
View All Result
Home Leadership

Working from home: lessons to maintain leadership during the lockdown

Srinivasa Addepalli by Srinivasa Addepalli
April 21, 2020
Reading Time: 4 mins read
Working from home: lessons to maintain leadership

Image: Srinivasa Addepalli- Founder & CEO, GGA

Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic has forced all of us to experiment with the way we work and live. Some CHROs I spoke to said that only 1-2% of their employees used to work from home earlier permanently, and perhaps 30-40% would occasionally work from home. Within a couple of weeks, they had to shift to 95-100% of all employees working remotely. This is a massive experiment that every organization is conducting right now. 

We will move back to some form of ‘normalcy,’ but it is clear that there will not be a reversal to the way of working before the lockdown. Technology in the form of high-speed broadband, video-calling and conference tools and other productivity applications have facilitated this remote working, allowing most of us to continue to meet our professional commitments. It has forced us to rethink norms of communication, collaboration and productivity.

Challenging as it is, I believe that this crisis is an opportunity for us to reinforce and reveal leadership traits. Here are five principles that might come in handy. 

1. Hyper-Communicate

People turn to leaders to find a sense of direction in times of panic. Your ability to take a broader view of the challenges and opportunities, can, therefore, provide reassurance to anxious team members. Use a mix of group and personal conversations to stay in touch, formally and informally. Practice management by walking around virtually – don’t wait for formal calls to be set up. Even in normal times, you need to communicate a lot; in a crisis, dial it up even more. 

2. Close the Loop

Most leaders believe that communication is about transmitting information, but what use is that if you do not close the loop. Find ways to check if the team has understood what you had in mind. Use the technique of playback: ask them to say in their own words what they heard from you. It is also useful to conduct regular ‘quizzes’ to ensure that there is a recall of your communication. Closing the loop is also finding opportunities to listen to other points of view or new ideas that may be worth pursuing.

3. Energize your Team

While we practice social distancing, all of us are thirsting for social and emotional connections. Adapt to the restrictions in creative ways – it could be a super-hero costume party or a bring your own coffee (or chai/chocolate/cake/champagne… BYOC) session or an online game that involves your extended team, and maybe, even their families. These events or games can be designed to reinforce your strategic priorities or organization values and culture and delivered virtually. 

ADVERTISEMENT

4. Recognize the Stress

We are in uncharted waters. Not everyone thrives when faced with challenges. The uncertainty, coupled with a lack of physical connection with others, has resulted in many employees feeling isolated and disengaged. Recognize that some of your team members may be stressed, over-worked, or confused. Give them the time, tools, and encouragement to find a new rhythm, even if it means a reduction in productivity. Don’t let your energy and eagerness force some to go into a shell. 

5. Learn for the Future

This unprecedented lockdown will change work practices in many organizations. Experiment with new tools, practices, and models. A CEO told me that he has shut his office that housed a few hundred software developers; he intends to move to a permanent remote work model, with an occasional team meeting at a banquet hall. What aspects of this lockdown would you like to make permanent? This can be extended to your suppliers, partners, and customers too.

Leadership is challenging at the best of times. And now, more so than ever, leaders must exhibit the tenacity and learning mindset that is critical for uncertainty. Use this lockdown to build resilience in your team, and prepare for the new normal that is coming.

Note: The author of this article is Srinivasa Addepalli is the Founder & CEO of GlobalGyan, an ed-tech firm that helps students and managers build their careers. Views expressed in this article are his own.

Also Read: Does My Insurance Cover Death Due to Coronavirus?

Also Read: Four Factors will help Sales Operations Leaders to Mitigate COVID-19 Impact

Also Read: Five key factors every SME/ MSME needs to follow to ensure speedy business revival post COVID-19

Srinivasa Addepalli

Srinivasa Addepalli

Srinivasa Addepalli is the Founder & CEO of GlobalGyan, an edtech firm that helps students and managers build their careers

Related Posts

Technology remains the main driver for insurance companies to scale and grow in 2023
News

Technology remains the main driver for insurance companies to scale and grow in 2023

January 10, 2023
Startups should embrace a down-round and restructure their firms: Flipkart CEO
Business

Startups should embrace a down-round and restructure their firms: Flipkart CEO

November 22, 2022
Elevate UX & CX with Automation supported by Digital Infrastructure Management Services 
Business

Elevate UX & CX with automation supported by digital Infrastructure management services

November 16, 2022
Why CCTV system is important for your business
News

Why CCTV system is important for your business

November 15, 2022
data loss prevention (DLP) usese
Cyber Security

Slack Security Concerns and DLP solutions

November 3, 2022
Wealth Management
Finance

5 Trends in Wealth Management to Watch Out in 2022

January 18, 2022
Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs in India
Entrepreneur

Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs in India (2022)

January 18, 2022
IT Service Management (ITSM)
Opinion

The need of ITSM to start a digital transformation journey and ensure high ROI

January 17, 2022
Load More
Leave Comment
ADVERTISEMENT

Expert Views

chatbots for businesses
Opinion

Why chatbots are important for businesses to strengthen their sales and operations

June 5, 2023
How Travel and Expense can pave the way for responsible spend culture
Opinion

How Travel and Expense can pave the way for responsible spend culture

May 24, 2023
Data at Rest
Cyber Security

Data at Rest – How Data Encryption and Data Security Beneficial to IT Teams?

May 8, 2023
SaaS Rising: India is Ready for its Next IT Moment
Opinion

SaaS Rising: India is Ready for its Next IT Moment

January 31, 2023
Technology remains the main driver for insurance companies to scale and grow in 2023
News

Technology remains the main driver for insurance companies to scale and grow in 2023

January 10, 2023

Latest Updates

Top 10 Data and Analytics Technology Trends for 2020

Marketing leaders in India to boost the use of generative AI: Report

by IANS
2 days ago

Users can now create desktop shortcut for Google Password Manager

Users can now create desktop shortcut for Google Password Manager

by IANS
2 days ago

HP launched new PC portfolio to meet the evolving consumer demands

HP introduces 45-inch curved display, vertical mouse in India

by IANS
4 days ago

Apple iPadOS 17 offers redesigned Lock Screen, interactive widgets & more

Apple iPadOS 17 offers redesigned Lock Screen, interactive widgets & more

by IANS
5 days ago

Working in a post-pandemic world: What is the new normal?

Approx 4K people lost their jobs in the US due to AI in May: Report

by IANS
5 days ago

Atomic Wallet faces security breach, loses over $35 mn in crypto

Atomic Wallet faces security breach, loses over $35 mn in crypto

by IANS
6 days ago

Get Latest Update

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives newsletter direct to your inbox!

ADVERTISEMENT

Leaders Inerviews

Interview with Prasanna Arikala, CTO, Kore.ai on AI chatbots
AI

Can AI chatbots enhance customer experience and reduce the cost of serving customers?

-
Rising cyber attacks pose a serious threat to Indian SMBs, says Zakir Hussain
Cyber Security

Rising cyber attacks pose a serious threat to Indian SMBs, says Zakir Hussain

-
Axis Bank's Cloud-driven digital banking solutions
Banking

Axis Bank doubles down on cloud based digital banking solutions

-
digital-first strategy
Banking

Jana Small Finance Bank’s digital-first strategy enhances customer experience

-

Entrepreneur

Samsung Electronics appoints its first female president

Inspiring Women Entrepreneurs in India (2022)

Technology Adoption For Entrepreneurs

Volunteering management is the need of the Hour

We bring business leaders' opinions and unique ideas on what’s happening in the market and its impact. Also, get the daily news, analysis, and insights.

Connect with us

Easy Links

  • Cryptocurrency
  • Event
  • Blockchain
  • Press Release
  • Resources & Downloads

Write Us

contact@cxovoice.com
  • Home
  • About
  • Contact Us
  • Advertise
  • Privacy & Policy
  • Feedback

© 2023 CXO VOICE

No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • News
  • Leaders Talk
  • Expert Opinion

© 2023 CXO VOICE

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

Our Spring Sale Has Started

You can see how this popup was set up in our step-by-step guide: https://wppopupmaker.com/guides/auto-opening-announcement-popups/