Strain and challenges affect every individual differently. We all deal with them at our level of emotional maturity, but how we get supported by our team leaders and colleagues plays a meaningful role during the crisis. A survey conducted on multiple HR heads concluded that employees don’t quit due to tight deadlines or work stress but a lack of support and understanding from the team management.
But how can we define a tough time? What might be challenging for one person might not even be critical for other. On the contrary, certain situations are difficult for the whole team. One such situation is the pandemic. The pandemic disconnected us from the regular work routines, colleagues, and office premises, and none of us got enough time to prepare for the new everyday work culture. This turned out to be the fundamental cause of the morale and motivation downfall among the workforce in most businesses across the globe. Though this situation was challenging and harmed productivity, there isn't any successful organization that hasn't even once faced any downtimes.
Considering the above example, in this guide, we will talk about five ways to support your teammate during challenging times and include ways to help you understand if any individual is facing a difficult situation.
How to check on your team?
- Notice:
Being able to notice an individual's non-verbal language or gestures is the first on the list. As a team leader, you must connect with your team more often and catch their body language, motivation, enthusiasm, etc. If an employee is visibly uncomfortable or stressed, then rather than ignoring and waiting for a communication from their end, you must make the first move. In case you are operating remotely, you must conduct video conferences often. Although a problematic situation tends to harm work productivity, if you see an efficient employee suddenly performing less, you must acknowledge it.
- Ask:
It is always comforting to be a good listener, merely asking doesn’t help if you show disinterest while sharing their problem. You must listen to their issues and also offer to invite your HR to the conversation (only if the employee is comfortable communicating with them). This would help them vent out their excess emotions, and also, they might end up finding a possible solution midst the conversation.
How to support your teammates?
Be patient and empathetic:
Empathy is the center of emotional support, a person who receives empathy while they share their emotions is bound to recover soon from their situation. We understand empathy isn’t a trait you are born with, but this can be learned just like you cultivate any other skill.Additionally, being patient with their emotions and performance is another essential aspect. If you know an employee is undergoing a tough situation, you must refrain from forcing them to push their limit or over-exhausting them during a project.Statistically, 92% of the CEOs claim that their organization is empathetic, but surprisingly only 72% of employees agree with this.
Extend individual and organizational assistance:
Consider offering assistance according to the situation. If you are capable of handling the position on an individual level, you must not waver from quick help. For all the conditions requiring managerial-level decisions, you must support your teammate in seeking quick solutions. An employee who is helped and supported by the team leader feels positive and motivated working in his team, enhancing the bond of trust and understanding in the workforce.
Be supportive and encourage:
While an employee goes through challenging situations, he lacks motivation and morale to work. As a team leader, you must appreciate their workability and help them outgrow tough times. Include offering remote work for a day or more if you think that can help. Additionally, divide their workload. Be the strength of your team and make them feel encouraged. Remind them of self-care practices, and organize a well-being session on the company budget (most companies maintain an employee wellness fund). Communicate their situation with your team so that the employees feel motivated and supported during their everyday tasks. A continuous support system would be a great help while recovering from the crisis.
Fulfil pending rewards and recognitions:
Rewards and recognitions would be game-changers in such a situation. During toughtimes, it's important to celebrate every achievement, irrespective of how tiny. The employee needs confirmation that their work is valued. Even in the ordinary course of business, you must not hold any rewards for a long time as they might lose their essence. Additionally, when employees feel appreciated for their excellent performance during unfruitful situations, they tend to cope quickly and get back into their positive mindset. If it is a remote employee, this appreciation can be done on team calls or as a gift/lunch/flower that can lighten up their mood and morale.
Continue being a source of reassurance:
With great positions comes great responsibilities and expectations. Being a continuous source of reassurance and motivation makes you a great leader. Your teams look up to you in times of stress, and you must be available to support them. It would help if you shared your success and failure stories, which motivate employees and help them understand that failures and challenges are part of life. Additionally, while you be vulnerable in front of them, they gather the courage to share their difficulties without feeling ashamed or judged.
Quick tips for the team leaders:
- You need to understand that you must keep your professional boundaries while trying to solve any employees’ crises. Additionally, you have to be motivated first to keep the team spirit high.
- Secondly, your priority is getting work done in a balanced and healthy way, which means that you cannot over-push your employees and must not compromise on the targets. You can always provide guidance and communicate easy ways of completing the tasks.
- It is not just your responsibility to keep the employees motivated; share the load with your teammates and the HR team. Support and empathy are better practiced at every level of the organization.
- Practice wellness conversations and events in your team as preventive measures. Enforce quick health talks and motivate them to take care of themselves. Starting with yourself is the best option. Be a role model and set an example.
- In the case of remote employees, you have to maintain a healthy balance of online and offline motivations. Be available to your team and connect with them over a call at least once a week.
Wrapping it up:
Keeping your team motivated and helping them through difficult times requires a clear focus on empathy, transparency, connectedness, and balance. Though great recruitment platforms like Jobma can find you the best employees, you must be prepared for the uncertainties. The tricks, as mentioned earlier, will be a great help the next time you have to support your teammate.
