Duane Tursi, CEO, Ascension Group International.
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In a post-pandemic world, the surge of digital nomadism has transformed the workplace environment. This shift toward remote work, enabled by digital technologies, brings new flexibility and freedom for many employees. However, it also presents unique challenges for organizations that strive to maintain a high-performance culture. For business leaders to navigate this evolving landscape, I believe the keys to success lie in adapting leadership strategies, embracing technology and fostering an environment of trust and accountability while acknowledging the value and needs of employees who still work from physical locations.
The shift toward remote work comes with strong opinions from both employees and employers. Employees desire flexibility and claim to be more productive when they have it. In 2022, research from Future Forum found that workers with complete flexibility in their schedules reported 29% higher productivity and 53% greater ability to focus than workers without the ability to shift their schedules.
Employers, on the other hand, see it differently. In a 2022 Microsoft study, 85% of leaders said that "the shift to hybrid work has made it challenging to have confidence that employees are being productive," and 49% reported struggling to trust their employees' ability to perform their best work.
At Ascension Group, we have both in-office and remote employees. Initially, our managers were concerned about how the hybrid environment might impact productivity. Our solution was transitioning from managing activity to managing processes and leading people instead. It took time, but we try to focus on work quality, client success and project or deliverable outcomes rather than strictly activity.
However, it's important not to overlook the reality of employees who cannot work remotely due to the nature of their roles. These individuals, who may work in manufacturing, healthcare, retail and other essential services, face challenges that must be addressed. For such workers, job satisfaction, performance and well-being are often affected by safety measures, workplace culture and opportunities for career advancement within their physical work environment.
In order to ensure that employees are able to meet their objectives in an efficient manner regardless of location, it is important for leaders to implement certain strategies and tactics. This includes setting clear and achievable goals, providing the necessary resources and support for task management and offering training on time management and prioritization techniques. I've found that encouraging open communication within the team so that members can voice their concerns or seek guidance is also crucial. By creating a supportive environment for employees, leaders can work to enhance productivity, reduce burnout and maintain a high-performance culture in the face of changing work dynamics.
Based on my experience, it's a process of clarifying expectations and encouraging specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound goals. Working with our employees on collaborative goal-setting and then breaking those goals into manageable steps while providing resources and support has helped immensely.
Embracing Flexibility With Purpose
Work is not a place; it's an activity. A high-performance culture is not just about where work is done but also about the collective mindset and behaviors of its members. Leaders should view "work from anywhere" as a strategic advantage rather than a hurdle. This requires rethinking work processes to prioritize outcomes rather than the number of hours worked. Organizations should encourage autonomy while ensuring alignment with the company's objectives.
Companies can adopt agile methodologies that emphasize adaptability and swift response to change to maintain a sense of purpose and direction. Regular virtual check-ins and transparent communication channels can help keep team members aligned with the organization's objectives and progress.
For those who work on-site, leaders should explore ways to introduce flexibility within the constraints of their roles. This could include flexible scheduling, job rotations or creating opportunities for cross-training and skill development.
Leveraging Technology To Enhance Collaboration
Technology is the linchpin that enables the remote work model to flourish. Investing in robust collaboration tools and platforms can bridge the physical divide, ensuring team members can work effectively, regardless of their geographical location. These tools can help facilitate seamless communication, project management and access to shared resources, replicating the collaborative atmosphere of a physical office in a virtual environment. But technology alone is not enough. I also recommend fostering a culture of digital literacy to ensure employees are equipped with the skills to leverage these tools effectively. This includes training on best practices for remote work, such as managing digital workflows, maintaining cybersecurity and conducting effective virtual meetings.
Cultivating Trust And Accountability
Trust and accountability form the bedrock of a high-performance culture, especially in a remote work setting. To achieve this, leaders need to show trust in their employees and empower them to manage their responsibilities independently. This requires adopting a more empowering leadership style, where leaders focus on leading people rather than just managing processes.
To promote accountability, I recommend leaders set clear expectations, establish measurable goals and implement regular feedback mechanisms. Performance metrics should be based on outcomes rather than inputs, emphasizing the quality and impact of work done, not the volume of hours logged. Regular check-ins can help identify any challenges early on and provide opportunities for personal development, regardless of an employee's location.
Fostering A Connected Culture
Regardless of the differences in employees' work environments, maintaining a strong sense of community and belonging is essential to sustaining a high-performance culture. This applies to both remote and on-site employees. Engaging in virtual team-building activities, creating opportunities for in-person interactions among on-site staff and acknowledging individual contributions can reinforce a positive culture and drive engagement. For example, we have a pretty consistent rhythm of virtual new-hire welcome lunches that bring everyone together and help build a sense of community, as well as quarterly town hall meetings that keep our entire team in the loop.
I believe the emergence of the digital nomad culture has advantages and disadvantages for companies that want to maintain an effective and productive work environment. But by adjusting to these changes, companies can take advantage of the opportunities presented, achieve exceptional results and create a thriving organizational culture in the digital age.
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