{"id":16422,"date":"2022-04-07T12:07:40","date_gmt":"2022-04-07T16:07:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=16422"},"modified":"2022-04-07T12:16:32","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T16:16:32","slug":"leadership-blog-series-lean-in-to-leading-remote-work-edition","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sourcelive.hr.msu.edu\/?p=16422","title":{"rendered":"Leadership Blog Series: Lean Into Leading \u2014 Remote Work Edition"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Written by Sharri Margraves, Director for HR Organization and Professional Development<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

At the retirement party for one of my former colleagues, they reflected that the main thing they were looking forward to was \u201cnever being responsible for another human being again.\u201d And they meant it. As leaders, it\u2019s important to recognize the significant responsibilities of our roles, with impacts on both the organization and the individuals with whom we serve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It has always been challenging to be a good leader, and this is not going to get easier anytime soon. The incredible shifts in the past two years will continue to play out within our teams, departments and units as we move to understand the full capabilities of remote work (including \u201chybrid\u201d work) and learn what our stakeholders want from their experiences with us.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fulfilling the Goals and Objectives of MSU\u2019s Strategic Plan<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

As you consider MSU\u2019s strategic goals and objectives, leaning into new concepts about work, productivity and satisfaction will require a paradigm shift. Not only are external forces pushing this, but the university is also pulling us toward a new mindset focused on growth, and this means change.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Consider MSU\u2019s strategic goal of faculty and staff success: Creating an environment in which excellence and opportunity thrive will attract and keep talent and create conditions where staff and faculty can do their best work, individually and collaboratively. <\/strong>We will develop the flexible, supportive, inclusive workplace required to respond to the aspirations and needs of every employee<\/em>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As employees integrate career goals with efforts to create a meaningful life for themselves and their families, they will expect \u2014 and we, as supervisors, will deliver \u2014 ongoing opportunities to grow and develop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related resource: MSU 2030 Strategic Plan<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remote Work and Flexibility<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

We are working in the most disruptive workforce changes since WWII, dubbed \u201cThe Great Resignation\u201d. Research shows that 90% of employees expect to have flexibility in their work, and 54% are planning to leave their position if they don\u2019t get it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the coming weeks, you will hear more about what MSU intends to do about remote work from a policy perspective, but that is only part of the equation. As with every policy, you can either hide behind it, or you can embrace it. I challenge you to embrace the new remote work policy in the spirit of our strategic goals. We are working with, and are, professional adults \u2014 and adults know when something does not make sense and know they need to be accountable for their actions. Be creative and innovative as you lean into implementing this new policy in your area and working toward better fulfilling the university\u2019s goals and objectives for staff success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A word about flexibility: not all jobs are going to be remote-friendly. Approximately one-third of our jobs will not offer remote work capability. However, most jobs can have some flexibility, at least at some point in the year. Think broadly about the organizational culture you want to thrive in \u2014 thrive\u2026not<\/em> simply endure \u2014 and do the same for your staff. It may be more challenging, but it also can also lead to greater rewards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Related resource: Remote Work Guidance for Employees and Supervisors at MSU<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Take a Deeper Dive<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Consider the following ways that you, as a leader, can help MSU meet our collective strategic goals and objectives through the lens of the updated remote work policy:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Examine the value of an employee\u2019s work and not the \u201cbusy work\u201d a person brings to their role. How can you maximize that value?<\/li>
  2. What is the maximum and minimum flexibility for each position? Each team?<\/li>
  3. Is the flexibility the same during the full year, or can summer months or breaks be different than the academic year?<\/li>
  4. Do you really know what your stakeholders want and expect and the services they need?<\/li>
  5. Can you flex starting times, hours, days?<\/li>
  6. Have you already decided what is \u201cright\u201d or are you open to new possibilities?<\/li>
  7. Consider the individual as well as the team dynamics. What can change to provide flexibility for all? Did you ask your team to help devise the strategy?<\/li>
  8. What are the core times you might expect people to attend meetings (and is the meeting effective and productive, or is it casual and meant to just connect)?  Global working hours help everyone be flexible.<\/li>
  9. Can you accommodate a \u201csplit shift\u201d, with the employee able to have alternate times?<\/li>
  10. What communication plans will make you more effective? Effective communication isn\u2019t a one-way process, and employees have responsibilities here as well.<\/li>
  11. What role do expectations have for the team? Individuals?<\/li>
  12. What collective development and individual development will foster the kind of organizational culture that will help us meet our strategic goal?<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Additional resources are available to support you as you navigate integrating MSU\u2019s new remote work policies with your team.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    MSU Remote Work Policy<\/a> \u2013 <\/strong>Important documents, resources and FAQs<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Remote Work Supervisors\u2019 Discussion Guides<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n