When in-class learning was suddenly no longer an option due to public health safety related to the pandemic, effective online learning options became more important than ever. In this three-part series, we explore how our teams at SCS responded to learner needs during the COVID-19 onset, what you can expect from an online learning experience at SCS, and tips for leading a team in difficult times.
When the pandemic hit in March, our Learning Innovation team, led by our Manager of Learning Innovation, Janay Gouveia, was faced with a massive challenge. With in-class learning no longer an option, she and her team of four had to transition hundreds of courses to an online delivery format, relying on critical input from our instructors and subject matter experts. They also developed many new instructor trainings to ensure a smooth transition to online learning, all while working remotely under tight timelines. Through dedicated collaboration, our teams within SCS have successfully managed this transition with grace. Throughout the 2020 Winter, Spring/Summer, and Fall terms, SCS has transitioned 340 courses online, while continuing to provide support to existing online courses.
While the past nine months have been challenging, Janay has learned much about leadership and teamwork. Here, she shares her top seven tips for managing a team remotely in difficult times.
1. Be present
“This is critical when you aren’t in the same physical space as your team. Being present means being fully available. Be willing to communicate openly and offer support. For instance, I meet remotely with my team every morning for a quick discussion of what’s going on for the week, and to see how everyone is doing. These short touch-bases set the tone for the day and insures that everyone knows I am here if they need me. We also have longer team meetings every other week.”
2. Lead with compassion
“It was really important that I respect the personal and professional experiences of my team. I worked hard to be sensitive to their emotions, and the impact the pandemic was having on them. As a leader, we must look at our colleagues as individuals having unique experiences, and lead with compassion.”
3. Respect boundaries
“With the lines between personal and professional becoming so blurred, it’s important to respect boundaries. It was always at the top of my mind that my team was dealing with a ton of stress, both personal and professional. It can be a delicate line to walk, but I tried very hard to set boundaries that were mutually respectful.”
4. Encourage self care
“I learned quickly that it’s important to allow your team space to walk away, take a break, and take care of themselves. I encouraged my team to seek any form of support they needed, and nurture their mental health during such a difficult time. I had to remember to take care of myself as well!”
5. Celebrate the wins
“In the middle of chaos, it can be easy to forget to celebrate successes. It’s made even more challenging when you aren’t in the same physical space. We can’t just focus on difficulties and overlook success. So, I made sure we honoured and celebrated wins, big and small. Everyone is driven by purpose, and recognizing hard work helps us feel engaged and motivated.”
6. Socialize
“Working remotely doesn’t mean the social aspect of work should disappear. I made sure to integrate social time for my team. For instance, we do regular remote team lunches where we just eat together and catch up about life. It’s nice to forget about work and connect.”
7. Be transparent, think big picture
“I believe in being transparent and clear in my communication. It’s important for a team to have common understanding and all be on the same page. We need to feel our common purpose, and have a strong knowledge of how our hard work impacts the business as a whole.
Janay Gouveia, Manager of Learning Innovation