How to Be A Great Team Player When It’s Gotten More Stressful

COVID-19 has added an extra layer of stress to everything we do, making workplaces even more pressure-packed.

Given the current situation, people need to do more when it comes to being a team player at work – whether they are working remotely or on-premises.

Working Remotely 

Digital technology is shifting how we communicate and affecting our perception of reality, as the flood of images and text coming at us can result in misunderstandings and confusion.

Individuals who work on remote teams deal with these difficulties all the time. This ongoing change demands a new behaviors, abilities and attitudes.

The tone of a text message or email is very much left open to interpretation. Even close loved ones who know us best get confused by our text messages. Misinterpretations can trigger feelings that are costly and counterproductive in a business setting. The most effective way for everyone to support the performance of their team is to focus on trust and interdependency.

Video calls are effective for establishing connections and empathy; more so than e-mails or voice calls. Also, attempting to connect with another remote worker on a personal level over the phone or email may seem forced, but making these connections is critical to collaboration.

Clarity is crucial. Take the time to be extremely clear in your communication, regardless of the medium. In a remote setting, you can never be too clear in your messaging.

Remote employees have to develop new norms, like those related to communication. For example, people have different preferred response expectations, writing styles and tones. Some people communicate in short, to-the-point messages, while others like lengthy and detailed messages. Some people like to incorporate humor and informal language.

Being remote can also generate new opportunities, especially for those who are more introverted. Interpersonal abilities and personal appearance are diminished by text-based communication, offering some folks a greater avenue share input. In fact, studies have indicated that introverted people are less inhibited in online.

Working Back On-Premises 

With the COVID pandemic hanging over every social interaction, walking into a workplace these days is more stressful than it used to be. Everyone needs to keep this in mind and make accommodations accordingly.

First and foremost, it is important to understand social distancing and hygiene measures. You may be assigned cleaning duties and should embrace them.

It’s also important to be flexible. Many people have been laid off or have had their hours reduced and this can affect your workflows. Therefore, leave room in your schedule for workarounds and delays.

It may seem obvious, but it’s also important to focus on having a positive attitude. Positivity is in short supply these days, and it’s everyone’s responsibility to stay as upbeat as possible.

We Can Help with Your Work Situation 

At SMCI, we are here to help you navigate this unusual time in your career. Please contact us today to find out how we can be of assistance.