Resources for Individuals
- Shift to a remote work environment - the Going Remote webpage is a great place to start.
- The Value of Working Remotely
- Flexible Schedule without Losing Productivity
- Transitioning to Remote Work
8 Tips for Leading & Working Remotely
1. Reset Your Expectations & Be a Resource
- Focus on results - not how the work gets done.
- Be flexible! Understand we're shifting from synchronous work to asychronous.
- Help your colleagues find support resources if they run into technology issues.
2. Stay Connected
- Schedule daily 10-minute checkin meetings with your team or colleagues using Microsoft Teams or Zoom.
- Review our videoconference tips to help you have the best experience.
- Create a Microsoft Teams channel to stay engaged with your team throughout the work day. Think of this as a virtual water cooler.
- Encourage virtual social activity amongst your team. For example, if your team used to go out for coffee once a week, encourage them to continue meeting virtually for coffee!
3. Interpret Tone & Voice
- When collaborating remotely, you can't rely on non-verbal data and body language. Instead pay close attention to:
- Patterns in tone of written communications
- Rate, volume, pitch, and inflexion of voice communications
- Physical gestures in video communications
4. Lead by Example
- Model optimism - leaders who demonstrate hopefulness and confidence can help their colleagues find meaning and purpose in their work, especially during stressful times.
- Be a role model for how you'd like others to engage remotely. For example, when meeting virtually, turn on your video so colleagues can see you.
5. Communicate, Communicate, Communicate!
- Provide an update to your team even when there is no update to provide.
- The more you can communicate with your team, the more it can help reduce anxiety, uncertainity, and stop the spread of misinformation.
- Humanize your communication by encouraging video conferences or phone calls.
6. Gauge Stress & Engagement Levels
- Make it crystal clear to your team that their well-being is your top priority.
- Monitor engagement by asking two simple questions:
- On a 0 to 10 scale, rate the level of stress you currently feel
- On the same scale, rate your overall engagement
7. Take Care of Yourself
- Before you can take care of other people, you must first take care of yourself.
- Maintain your normal routine. For example, get ready for work in the morning.
- Take a lunch break
- Take breaks throughout the day - go for a walk around the block, get fresh air, play with your dog!
- Get adequate sleep
8. Continued Learning
- A remote work environment can potentially offer less distractions and a great opportunity for professional development.
- Identify potential trainings or webinars to attend.
- Skillport eLearning offers over 3,000 courses to UO employees at no cost.
Source: 8 Ways to Manage Your Team While Social Distancing
Additional Resources & Tools
LinkedIn Learning
- LinkedIn Learning offers a 1-month free trial for unlimited access to online courses taught by industry experts in business, technology, and design.
- Use your existing LinkedIn account to log in.
EAB - Education Technology, Services, and Research
- EAB is a best practice firm that uses research, technology, and consulting to address challenges within the education industry.
- All UO employees can create an account.
EDUCAUSE
- EDUCAUSE is a community of IT leaders and professionals working together to tackle challenges and leverage opportunities that are constantly evolving within higher education.
- Recommended article: Thoughtfulness in a Pandemic
Gartner
- Gartner provides leaders with business insights, advice, and tools needed to achieve mission critical priorities and build organizations.
- Gartner has made content about leading new ways of working available to the public.
UO Resources