The Virtual Leader - Leading Teams in a More Virtual World
We are now living in a COVID changed world. It is way too early to say it’s a post-COVID time, and things will continue to evolve in the coming months ahead. However, with this extended time of being out of stores or away from physical locations, the time for embracing virtual leadership is upon us. Even as we begin to define a new normal, using virtual tools will be something that is much more common than it may have been just a few weeks ago.
Many people find themselves in a different situation than they were in at the beginning of March. Most retailers have a re-opening strategy for the coming weeks. For some, this will be the first time they have worked directly with their teams for several weeks while others may have continued regular voice contact or other types of virtual interactions. As businesses begin to open to customers again, how we lead our teams will need to change as much as the business will for the foreseeable future.
Traveling to multiple stores each week or jumping on a plane to visit locations is not something that will be as prevalent as it has been in the past. There are safety and health considerations in how many places you visit each day or week. Travel is constrained both by airline schedules and expenses from a company standpoint, not to mention the added risk for exposure that will come from close contact with other people. With those potential barriers in place, how do we leverage the technology that has been thrust upon us to expand our ability to virtually connect with and lead our teams?
Use Video
Many people have become accustomed to using new video conferring tools such as Zoom, WebEx, Google Hangouts, or Microsoft Teams in the last several weeks. These tools don’t have to be limited to just group calls and meetings. These are excellent options for individual discussions and virtual store visits. Even built-in tools like Apple’s FaceTime or any number of other video chat applications are a great way to engage in (virtual) face to face discussions.
Having a group or individual session where video is used (and required) so you can see your team, and they can see you helps to build additional engagement and connections. I have become very comfortable having video on for all of my calls now. I would say that more than 90% of all communication I do with people in my organization is via video and not voice calls. I would recommend that you transition as many of your team and individual status calls to video. You will find that it adds a new dimension to the conversation and interaction.
Virtual Store Visits
As I mentioned above, travel is likely to be limited for a period of time. Using the applications on the phone makes it easy to have a mobile conversation. You can have your managers on the other end of the phone show you what is happening in their locations. While it may not replace being there in person exactly, you can get a good (enough) feel for what is happening.
Even when traveling is possible, it may make sense to use virtual visits as another tool or option for quick visits with locations and managers. There can be a productivity angle for this as well. The reduced drive time and distractions that can come from visiting virtually should be something to consider as we look at how we can lead differently for the future. Finding an appropriate balance between in-store visits and virtual visits will vary based on business and specific needs, but I see this as a new option for multi-unit leaders to explore how they support their teams.
Being Virtual Still Requires Presence
Your video meetings, discussions, and visits still need to be treated just as they would for in-person meetings. If there are risks that come from doing more virtual conversations, it is the risks of distraction and multi-tasking. It is an easy trap to fall into, as I have experienced a lot in the last couple of months. There may be a difference between a quick chat and a scheduled meeting. Those interactions or visits that are scheduled should be treated just as they would if you were physically meeting in person. Limit or eliminate distractions. Stay concentrated on the conversation you are having now and not the email or other messages that may be coming in through different channels. You should provide that same level of attention you would for your in-person meetings. This will take practice. It is a new skill. And is far too easy to find yourself distracted by everything around you in a virtual environment versus the physical one sometimes.
We are all learning new ways to work with our teams, connect with one another, and still try to get back to some semblance of normal. As more and more stores open for business, the need to provide new and additional levels of support and leadership will be heightened. There are full ranges of emotions being experienced by our store associates, our customers, and ourselves. We need to embrace and discuss those, as well as find ways to work through them together. Taking advantage of some of the technology tools can help bridge some of those gaps and still provide opportunities to fully manage and lead our businesses into the new future we will all build.
How will you use virtual communciation tools to connect with your team?
Join other retail leaders in continuing their development journey with Effective Retail Leader.com. SUBSCRIBE today to receive FREE leadership tips directly to your inbox and monthly newsletters that provide many tools to help further develop your leadership skills all at no cost. JOIN NOW!
No spam ever - just leadership goodness.