You can still make an impact even when working from home.
As the coronavirus outbreak spreads across the world, millions of workers will be logging-in from home to avoid getting sick and worsening the spread of the virus. Don’t let working from home stall your efforts to impress your boss and plant the seeds to continue your career advancement. Here are three ways to demonstrate your leadership when working from home:
1. Send periodic updates.
While you may not be in the office, you can still keep in contact with your manager and colleagues. You might send a weekly email to or schedule a weekly call with your manager communicating what you have accomplished in the past week and what you plan to do the following week. Let your manager know of any issues you have run into or foresee. Don’t keep your boss in the dark. For some managers, the less they know, the less they feel in control and the more they will worry. Allay their fears by sharing periodic status reports on your work progress. Periodic reports do not mean daily reports. You don’t want to overdo it and annoy your manager.
Social distancing does not preclude you from maintaining communication with people at work. Utilize the Internet and phone to stay connected and show that you remain productive.
2. Do more than what has been asked.
You may have a little more time for your work since you will not be commuting. Leverage this extra time to exceed expectations.
Let’s say your manager has tasked you to research the background of a potential business client. Consider going a step further and identify ways to approach the prospective client and pitch it to your boss.
Impress your boss by thinking outside the box and being a strategic partner. Leaders don’t just do what they are told to do. Leaders do what has to be done to do the work well.
3. Propose an idea.
Managers are also impressed with professionals who are proactive. It helps managers when their reports identify and solve an issue to benefit the team. For instance, you learn about a time-saving application that you think might make data collection for your team easier and more effective. Ask your manager if you can investigate this further.
When events like the coronavirus outbreak restricts a company’s ability to do business as usual, proposing an idea that might help your boss save money could help you to make a positive impression. Your boss will see that you are thinking like a business leader.
Managers may not have the time to think critically about all aspects of the work, especially inefficiencies that could be holding up or frustrating the work. Take responsibility, propose an idea and follow through with it.
Social distancing doesn’t have to thwart your efforts to impress your boss and attain your professional goals. Maintain regular communication with your manager, exceed expectations where you can and be proactive.
How do you demonstrate your leadership when working from home? Share with me your stories and thoughts via Twitter or LinkedIn.
