My new role has required me to be away from home … again.  Besides the strange bed, feather pillows (I’m allergic to), dry air, strange noises, questionable breakfast meat and powdered eggs in the breakfast buffet, I am finding ways to focus on work, communicate with loved ones, exercise again and be present with less support and daily reinforcement than I’ve grown accustom to.

One of my new responsibility leaders shared some of his stories about sacrifices made on the home front as he switched from one job to the next.  Married for two months then off to South Africa … for two years!

Another leader in my group has relocated to a region far enough away that being in the office is nowhere near as frequent as it has been.  His spouse had an opportunity that required she be in the city they now live and our company is progressive enough that he was allowed to relocate.

Leading where you are still requires the fundamental communication, collaboration, encouraging the heart, completing the tasks necessary and accomplishing things through others.  The distance away from the office or the distance away from loved ones makes it more challenging but certainly not impossible.

The business environment is changing.  The workforce majority is made up of sharp, progressive, motivated, enthusiastic and talented people who fully intend for themselves and their respective organizations to be successful.

•This requires flexibility, to the point of being fluid.

•This requires honesty with ourselves and the organization of what is expected, what is critical and what is optional.

•This requires leveraging technology to communicate whenever, wherever, however to meet the needs of both work and home.

How does this translate?

Let’s take the smart phone.  I used to walk by someone who was on their phone at work and assume they were slacking.  Maybe texting a friend about grabbing a drink or sharing some cat-themed meme about a current event.  Now, I walk on by because it might as easily be someone in a meeting 20 feet away who doesn’t want to disturb the presenter but needs something from their coworker.

Assume noble intent behind your Teams actions.  Judge based on results without trying to prescribe means and methods.  Stay nimble when it comes to how we get work done today.  Lead from where you are, not the way you grew up but the way you wish you had been treated.

Have a blessed weekend!