What do you do if your team is struggling to maintain productivity and focus in the workplace?

Setting clear and realistic goals is paramount for enhancing our team's productivity and focus. By employing the SMART criteria, we provide our team with a defined path, fostering motivation, and enabling efficient progress tracking towards our objectives.

I believe that sometimes we need to refocus, so start by establishing a list of priorities to get done, eliminate all parasitic tasks and establish a focus time in which no one interruption of the work should occur unless it is an emergency (but you have to define what is an emergency)

Connect on a personal level: Take the time to get to know your team members on a personal level. Show genuine interest in their lives, listen to their concerns, and be empathetic. Foster open and honest conversations: Create a safe space where team members feel comfortable sharing their thoughts, ideas, and challenges. Encourage open communication by actively listening, asking insightful questions, and acknowledging their contributions. Provide support and resources: Identify any obstacles or gaps that may be hindering your team's productivity. Offer support by providing the necessary resources, whether it's additional training, tools, or assistance from other team members.

Promote Work-Life Balance: Encourage your team members to maintain a healthy work-life balance. Flexible working hours, remote work options, and promoting self-care can prevent burnout and improve overall well-being.

Sometimes we tend to forget that not everyone has the same perspective that we have, so, it's super important to talk with the people that surround us, because everyone deserves a second chance if they are commiting mistakes. Try to give as much and detailed information as possible. Once you give your feedback, ask about the reason of these mistakes. Go to the roots of this behavior, and the find solutions. Empathy is the key.

I have always leaned into the idea when managing my dominantly remote team that we're all adults - manage deadlines and your workload and there is no need to micromanage. While there are staff that gravitate towards an office environment, there are staff that don't. The type of work that you do could be better collaboratively or singularly and with a bit of planning, comes success. Communication is key in this way of working, be open when you're not going to be available -- whether it's to hunker down on a deadline, or a personal priority. Be open about the drawbacks of any particular environment and work with your manager to determine the best productivity route for you.