Leading a Team with Compassion and Grace During the COVID-19 Pandemic

The sound of a dog barking in the background – most of us have experienced it on a conference call. A neighbor’s lawn mower or even my own family’s lawn mower has provided a dull buzz for many of my calls. Many of us have been gifted with the occasional toilet flush from an “unmuted” meeting participant. These breaches of conference call etiquette are well satirized on the internet.

But now we have our entire family at home with us. Maybe there are 2 working parents and 3-4 kids trying to do online school all at the same time. It’s a somewhat stressful time/space deconfliction exercise that is going on all over the world.

One of the beneficial side effects of the work from home requirement during this pandemic is the opportunity for all of us to meet our co-workers’ families.

That introduction might be accidental and not completely appreciated such as this video that went viral a number of year ago. https://youtu.be/Mh4f9AYRCZY

I would encourage all of us to welcome such “distractions” and introduce our family to our co-workers. Put the little ones on your lap and let them wave to your team over a zoom call. Let them tell your team about their day and what they have planned.

Another benefit to this new operating environment is the chance for your children to see you “at work.” I know in some of my roles I have found it difficult to explain to one of my children what it is I do all day at work. This week my 3 kids go back to school after a 2 week spring break and I am encouraging my older 2 to do their school work with me in my home office. I am sure it won’t be a perfect environment for me or for them, but that is ok.

If you start to get frustrated with your home office / family situation please remember this…

Somewhere in your community there is a single mother of 4 kids under the age of 10. Her occupation is 3rd grade teacher. Maybe she is the teacher of one of your kids. Her new reality is teaching online to her 20+ students while supporting the learning of her own children. And you thought your situation was challenging…