The COVID-19 pandemic has presented a unique set of challenges for small business owners, particularly when it comes to leading their teams and shoring up employee morale. When the new year changed to 2020, faint news rumblings reported a virus was swiftly spreading, soon to cause worldwide financial and logistical obstacles that many businesses had to learn how to face. As the pandemic becomes more manageable, there is also the added pressure of motivating and engaging teams who may have spent the majority of their time with the company working remotely, or socially distant, with all opportunity to network (get-togethers, holiday parties, and other once-normal events) often curtailed.

One of the biggest difficulties of leading a team in the post-COVID world is the lack of face-to-face interaction we’ve had as leaders to help put together the basic building blocks of establishing that relationship: gradual trust, respect, and guidance. In a traditional office setting, it is easier to gauge the mood and morale of your team, as well as provide support and guidance in real-time. However, remote work and social distancing measures have made it more difficult to maintain that level of connection and support. Studies routinely show that the majority of employees in the workforce value feedback from their leaders.

Another challenge is the increased stress and uncertainty that many people are experiencing as a result of the pandemic. Layoffs have dominated the news cycle this year from silicon valley, and job insecurity weighs heavily on many people’s minds as inflation continues. Financial difficulties are all contributing to higher levels of anxiety and depression among employees. As a small business owner, it is important to recognize the impact that these factors can have on your team and to provide support and resources to help them cope.

Now that all the bad news is out of the way, how can small business owners navigate these challenges and develop a strategy for leading their team in the post-COVID world? Here are a few suggestions:

• Prioritize communication and transparency. It is important to keep your team informed about the status of the business and any changes that may be coming. This will help to reduce uncertainty and build trust among your employees. Regular check-ins, both individually and as a team, can also provide an opportunity for employees to voice their concerns and suggestions.
• The work-from-home debate is fast and furious as CEOs continue to require office presence and employees with newfound flexibility worry about their future working arrangement. Really consider a business plan and if all of your workers are always required to be onsite. The flexibility working from home can provide- for free- can be the difference between a team member staying at your company or moving somewhere where they can have more flexibility.
• Offer support and resources. Many people are struggling with the added stress of the pandemic, so it is important to provide support and resources to help them cope. This can include things like access to mental health services, flexible work arrangements, or even just a listening ear and words of encouragement.
• Be understanding and empathetic. The pandemic has affected everyone differently, and it is important to recognize and respect that. Be understanding of any personal challenges that your employees may be facing, and try to be flexible and accommodating when possible.
• Foster a sense of community and connection. In a remote or socially-distanced environment, it can be easy for employees to feel isolated and disconnected from their team. As a small business owner, you can help to foster a sense of community and connection by organizing virtual team-building activities or social events, and by encouraging collaboration and communication among your employees.

There are many challenges in the new working world, but they certainly aren’t insurmountable. By prioritizing communication and transparency, offering support and resources, being understanding and empathetic, and fostering a sense of community and connection, you can develop a strategy for successfully leading your team through these difficult times.