No matter what role we play in our respective business or workplace, we are all shaping our work environment and culture. Because we are living in a primarily virtual world, it is now more important than ever to have intentionality in maintaining, growing, developing, and shaping our environment. Burke Allen, CEO of Cornerstone Coworking and Novologic, often says, “regardless of titles, everyone is a leader, you are either a good one or a bad one.”

Luckily, as leaders, we all have a role we can play in taking care of our work culture. It begins with a fairly simple task: caring. We need to make sure the people we work with know we care about them professionally and personally. The only way to make this happen is through caring for the health of our culture. Because it’s not a tangible object, we have to be mindful and intentional in how it’s created. We believe focusing on four concepts: compassion, trust, stability, and hope will help create the environment our teams need to thrive. 

Compassion—

Compassion is recognizing and sympathizing with the needs and experiences of another person. During Covid-19, we are all making adjustments. Whether you’ve recently become a remote employee, full-time teacher, and/or caretaker we are all covering new territory. In this season, and to create a positive and understanding work culture, we have to show compassion. When an employee doesn’t immediately answer a phone call or has to help their child with an assignment or lesson, show you understand their time. As long as we’re able to work together, you’ll help create a stronger team. 

Trust—

Building trust takes time, but as we are all working from a distance it is important our coworkers and employees know they have a place to turn to. As we are in an uncertain time, we need to remain open and honest with our teams and ourselves. Sharing what we do and do not know will help communication and understanding. It also allows the opportunity to create and stick to expectations. When we understand why, how, and when a task is to be done, it is more likely our teams will accomplish it. Over communicating helps to clarify and remove any possible barriers of a task or goal.

 Stability—

As we deal with Covid-19 and all of its side effects, stability is key to creating a safe environment. Through being present for our teams, standing up for them whenever you can, and helping to identify where they can step in are all ways you can lead this word out. 

Hope—

In the midst of Covid-19 and not knowing what our future will hold, we need to come together as a team to offer a sense of hope. It’s what many of us cling to in difficult seasons, and we can do a lot when we come together. Whether you are creating short devotionals or words of encouragement, saying thank you, sharing good news, and celebrating one another, there are reasons to find joy with and in your team.