Hello fellow leaders,
Carrie Pierce here with Building Champions, back to shed light on a leadership skill that's more vital now than ever: the art of persistent and consistent follow-up, especially in our era of distractions and remote work.
In the fast-paced world we navigate, where distractions are just a click away, and many of us are adapting to working from home, the importance of follow-up takes on a new dimension. What we, as leaders, choose to follow up on regularly becomes a sign for what's important.
Think about the last time you double-checked on a project's status or asked for updates on a client interaction. This isn't just about getting updates; it's about reinforcing what matters in the eyes of your team. It sends a clear message about priorities and expectations. And it lets your people know in a subtle way that they’re work matters.
But here's where it gets tricky – in a remote work environment, without a well-structured follow-up plan, your efforts can scatter or even overwhelm. This is why a strategic approach to follow-up is essential. It's more than just keeping tabs; it's about being a guiding light in a sea of potential distractions.
A sound follow-up plan should:
Be Selective and Focused: With countless tasks competing for attention, zero in on areas that directly impact your key objectives.
Maintain Consistency: Regular follow-up is crucial, especially when physical office interactions are off the table.
Build Accountability: Make it clear that ownership and responsibility are in their hands, not just task completion. Offer support but the ultimately task responsibility lies with the team member.
Stay Flexible and Responsive: Be ready to shift your focus as priorities evolve, especially in a rapidly changing work environment.
Include Personal Touchpoints: Remote work can be isolating and one of Building Champions’ core principals is that our personal life impacts our work life and vice versa. It’s about caring about the whole person ensuring follow-up addresses individual growth and well-being, not just professional tasks.
In this age of easy distractions and remote work setups, effective follow-up is not just about keeping projects on track; it's about maintaining connection, focus, and motivation among your team.
As you approach this week, reflect on how your follow-up strategies are impacting your team, particularly in the context of remote work. Are they helping to cut through the noise of distractions? Are they showing your people their work matters? Are they tailored to the unique challenges of working from home?
If you're looking to refine your follow-up approach or need some guidance, feel free to reach out. I'm here to help you navigate these challenges with success.
Warm regards, Carrie Pierce, Leadership Coach at Building Champions
P.S. Don't miss our next edition, where we'll dive into the nuances of giving constructive feedback, a critical part of your follow-up toolkit.