Have you ever imagined “work” to be only a few steps from your bedroom or kitchen? While the pandemic might be over here in the U.S., remote and hybrid work models are here to stay. Unfortunately, disconnects between teams and company culture are a common issue as a result. Now more than ever, we’re called to apply new approaches to the workplace with compassion and understanding to build – and rebuild – systems and relationships with our fellow team members. 

The Shared Leadership Framework™ gives us the tools and practices to navigate business model innovation with aplomb. We’re embracing change by reflecting on what these past few years have taught us, and envisioning how this new world of work can look and feel. 

Read on for how members of our ensemble are practicing sharing leadership, power, responsibility, and meaning in a remote world:

A Human Touch

We are all social creatures by nature, so maintaining productivity and team morale remotely can feel challenging. Many articles and studies have pointed out that loneliness and isolation due to lack of interaction with others can drastically affect employee mental health and job satisfaction. 

Developing creative ways to stay engaged such as virtual events, having a healthy cadence of both 1:1 and group meetings, and streamlining communication platforms make staying connected more accessible than before. 

It’s all about being patient, flexible, and striking the right balance between humanity and technology. Consider the benefits of being remote: for us, working from home offers a sense of comfort that allows us to be more vulnerable with each other, fostering a culture of honesty and care. It’s also about our shift in relationship with technology; setting intention to use it to create a nourishing, remote workplace. The quality of our relationships is not dependent on technology, but about how we use it. “I’m more willing than ever to speak aloud my care for others and to name the burdens we carry in a way that invites honesty, intimacy, and relief virtually,” says Tristan Toleno of our Operations & Product Development team.

Team Development Inside & Outside of the Workplace

Remote work grants the opportunity for more presence and fulfillment outside of the 9-5.  Research proves that happier employees lead to increased productivity, less turnover, and more significant customer satisfaction time and time again. Investing in annual company-wide retreats to celebrate individual and team success, and encouraging a positive work-life balance by offering wellness benefits like complimentary gym memberships can pay dividends.

“One of the biggest shifts of the last two years has been prioritizing my personal life, ensuring that work serves my life and not the other way around. I can do meaningful work in the world—and also take care of myself, focus on my fitness, spend time with family and friends, and try to keep that balance,” says Travis Hellstrom, Global Round Table Leadership Project Manager.“The challenges are to get away from my computer regularly and get out in nature to bring relief to my system, stretch and close my eyes throughout the day, and use my standing desk in equal time with my office chair,” adds Lori Hanau, our Founder & CEO.

Adaptation & Transformation: How Sharing Leadership Can Help

While many people feel they’re still adapting to the impacts of the pandemic, it’s every business owner’s dream to be ahead of the curve. The Shared Leadership Framework™ is a sustainable strategy designed to help organizations withstand – and thrive – during global shifts like these. “The new world of work is the recognition of, and changing to meet the needs of ourselves, and our colleagues. It means facing logistical, emotional, and physical realities of work-life balance in a post-COVID world. It’s making space and adapting to welcome and celebrate our authentic selves in the workplace,” shares Kate McGowan, of Curriculum Design & Product Development team.

Sharing leadership reinforces connection and commitment to one another and our collective goals. Implementing the principles of the framework into our team offers many different ways to enter into dialogue around how we want to work together and make sense of what’s happening when disruptions inevitably occur. Building a plan and creating solutions together allows the contributions of each team member to be meaningfully integrated.

“It doesn't matter whether we are virtual or on the ground. We can transcend the consciousness of limitation. The only walls blocking us from working well together are in our minds,” says Lori.

Boom. 🙌

Not sure where to start when it comes to supporting your staff? Our executive coaching services and human resources training can help! Clients report that the Shared Leadership Journey™ has led to more original and fresher brainstorming sessions, more creative problem-solving strategies, a more cohesive work culture, and better buy-in at every level of their organization.And if you’re in need of some inspiration ASAP, check out our Round Table Dialogue Series: Requirements of Cultural Transformation for work culture tips, tricks, and practices you can implement with your team, starting now.