Productivity is a perpetual topic of conversation and concern for leaders at all levels. Leaders want people to achieve what they were hired for in an effective manner. As more people began working remotely (whether by mandate or choice), productivity became one of the biggest concerns of all. Concerns about long-distance productivity have been one of the big justifications for bringing people back to the office.
Unless 100% of your team is in physical proximity every working day, the question of long-distance productivity still matters. Since it does, let’s talk about what leaders can do to influence that productivity in a positive way.
When thinking about this question, I feel the same way about the broader “leading at a distance” challenge. We said long before the pandemic that we should think “leadership first, location second,” and I would say the same thing here. If we think “productivity first, distance second,” we are heading in the right direction. This thinking challenges us to get the foundational elements of productivity right first. Then we adjust for virtual enhancements.
The Foundation
The leader’s role in creating long-distance productivity starts with some foundational ideas:
Knowing What Productivity Is (and Isn’t)
In short, productivity isn’t about activity (“busy” isn’t the goal), but about accomplishing the more important things in an acceptable timeline. Leaders who focus themselves and their team on accomplishments instead of activity experience greater success.
Applying the Keys to Successful Productivity Effectively
There are tons of tactics to help us improve productivity, and most are location-agnostic. In other words, when we are doing these well, we are off to a great start.
Recognizing the Nuances That Become More Important at a Distance
This is likely what you hoped I would talk about here – so let’s do it.
Specific Long-Distance Productivity Tips
If you want to support and create long-distance productivity, focus on these five things.
Leaders Must Model High Productivity
Your team members are watching you and your behavior, even if they can’t actually see you. If you want your team to be more productive, make sure you are setting a good example for them. Part of that is making productivity a part of our conversations and priorities in meetings and one-on-ones.
Leaders Must Focus on Accomplishment, Not Activity
Worrying about whether people are working (i.e. focusing on activity) sends the wrong message with other negative consequences. Instead, measure accomplishment and results, rather than keystrokes or immediate availability. You will be rewarded with higher productivity and higher trust too.
Leaders Must Help People Find Meaning
When people find meaning in their work, a lot of good things happen. People want to get more of the right things done, and with a greater sense of urgency. The challenge at a distance is that the meaning can get diluted, weakened, or forgotten. As a leader, one of the best things you can do is to help people stay connected to the meaning of the work. When people see how their work matters, they are more likely to want to be more productive.
Leaders Must Reinforce Context
When we walk into a building with signs and fifty reminders of who we work for, context is clear. When we work in what used to be an extra bedroom, context can quickly grow fuzzy. Help people stay connected to the work and to each other. People feel connected to their team when they know the team recognizes and values their productivity and contributions. At a distance, leaders must be far better at providing context for the work and, more importantly, the results.
Leaders Must Reward Greater (and Improved) Productivity
Virtual team members often lament the lack of acknowledgement or appreciation for their work. They feel invisible and less valuable – unless leaders overcome this perception. Acknowledge the fruits of people’s productivity. Appreciate the improvement people make in their productivity. Celebrate successes more. Rewarding good behaviors and results will net you more of the same.
Each of these five things are more important when people work at a distance from each other. So, emphasizing them will help you get better results. Consider each of these as a journey. Working on each of them will continually build productivity for yourself, your team members, and the entire team.
0 comments