3 Ways to Organize Yourself Through the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Epidemic

Written by: Katie Johnson, WIN Staff

At least for our generation, it feels like we are living through unprecedented times. Faced with major uncertainties about the future, the longstanding economic effects, market projections, our childcare changes, telecommuting for work, and of course fear of ourselves or our loved ones getting sick, we are naturally experiencing a lot of worry and anxiety.  The decisions we make will undoubtedly affect the trajectory of this outbreak and our collective future. Adapting to these ever-changing circumstances is critical for our sanity and survival. 

Though it feels like many industries have come to a crashing halt, this time of crisis does not imply immunity from performance management.  Companies are watching how their employees are reacting, pivoting, and adapting. The work you create now will be more meaningful than before because of how critical it is.  So how can you utilize this overwhelming situation for the best potential outcome? Focus on what is in your control.

Here are three principle ways to organize yourself around the present situation to optimize your performance and maintain healthy work policies. 

1.  Always Be Communicating

You’ll want to make sure you are communicating about everything... to the point you feel like you might be over-communicating! Make sure your team knows the best number to reach you at in case of emergencies, the times of the day you plan on checking email and how you will be present for meetings. Knowing how you’ll communicate with your team is a great foundation for remote work. Ensure that everyone knows your schedule, plans, and goals. You’ll also need to become an expert planner, thinking of what people will ask for next. 

You’re more than likely feeling less connected with your team. Working remotely creates a physical separation from team members, but that does not mean that connection and communication have to be lost. Try to set up virtual meetings or “virtual coffees”. Maintain connection by personally reaching out to team members on a regular basis through zoom, Facetime, Skype or any other virtual communication platform .

Use these skills to prove your value and commitment to the company. Check-in regularly with your supervisor to show your progress. If working remotely is something you would like to make permanent, how you communicate now may be the leverage you need to make that happen in the future. 

2. Acquire a Problem-Solving Viewpoint

Address potential challenges of working from home through a solution-oriented approach. Try to take the burden off of your supervisor. Demonstrate that you have your company’s best interest in mind.  By showing that despite remote hurdles, the company stands to gain revenue and/or a client base and assure them that you will work just as well, if not better, when you are remote. 

There are a lot of advantages of working remotely. But when you’re not prepared, there can be some pretty heavy disadvantages. In order to make your telecommuting experience successful you’ll need to practice flexibility.  Some of the tools or methods your company is utilizing may not work as efficiently as everyone initially anticipated. If you are having problems, be willing to change. Take on a problem-solving mindset. Let your manager see that you are a valuable resource by introducing new tools to the rest of your team. Think of ways that you can help be a part of the broader solution. 

[Utilize FREE Remote Working tools  If you’re working from home and find your company is wildly unprepared for 100% of its staff to be out of office, then these tools could help your situation.]

3. Track Your Performance

Don’t forget to be visible. When you work from home, it’s easy to feel as though all of your work is unseen. This is why communication is so important. The key to any successful negotiation is to be able to present a full report on your work. 

You’ll need to demonstrate that your productivity increased even in a time of crisis. Offer evidence to show that your intent is to continue to produce exemplary work. Consider the effect that working from home or potentially taking on odd hours will mean to the bottom line. 

Discuss with your manager how they will know your output. You’ll need to communicate your accomplishments more regularly. This could mean a weekly email with an update on what you’ve completed or using project management software to break projects into tasks. Ask how they would like for you to log your hours. Some employers may prefer to evaluate your performance based on productivity rather than hours logged but it is always a good idea to track your time. 

Don’t rely on your supervisor to remember details about your performance: bring your own documentation. Put a number on your contribution to your workplace, quantify your accomplishments, bring evidence of your value. If your boss has given you feedback before on your performance, use it to show improvement. In these uncertain times, use feedback to your advantage.  Going over these details will help you track your performance as well as make working remotely feel more structured.

So in your next virtual negotiation, focus on the best potential outcome and listen to your employers concerns.  Times are certainly uncertain and interpersonal interaction requires a tremendous amount of sensitivity to the challenges and stressors we are all experiencing.  But it is precisely in times of crisis and acute stress that you have the ability to demonstrate your value, be a source of support for your team, and stand out from the proverbial crowd through rising to the occasion.