How to Motivate Your Team (or Yourself) Right Now
Designers share ways they keep spirits up, provide support for their staff members and create a sense of community
We’ve moved into a new phase of the pandemic in the U.S., with most states in some stage of reopening. And yet life is not yet back to normal. If you’re like many of the designers and other pros we’ve spoken with recently, you may find that the uncertainty and upheaval have taken a toll on your energy or drive, or that of your team members. Here are some ways that design and remodeling pros are supporting and motivating their employees and creating a sense of community now.
Focus on What You’re Building
“Honestly, sometimes it is tough to stay motivated with the many distractions vying for our time with our children at home,” says designer Christina Byers in Port Washington, New York. “But what really keeps us going is knowing that many of the back-of-the-house improvements that we’re making to streamline processes will pay off in the long run and help us to be more efficient with our time moving forward.”
One such back-of-the-house project that Byers has tackled during this pandemic was revising the materials she shares with new clients. But the bigger change has actually been with her team. Byers’ husband, who previously worked as a digital marketing strategist, was laid off in mid-March. The couple decided that he would join Byers in her firm and take over some of the logistical and organizing tasks that were pulling her away from creative design work. He is now handling on-site measuring, building out floor plans, putting in quotes for window treatments and doing other technical tasks that Byers doesn’t love. “I’m really client-facing. I’m talking to the subcontractors,” Byers says. “He’s doing everything from behind the scenes.”
In Byers’ affluent local area, project inquiries have continued during the pandemic, and she has even turned down work. Now the couple hopes that new efficiencies from their partnership will allow her to take on more projects and that together they can grow the business.
See how Houzz Pro can help you run your business more efficiently
“Honestly, sometimes it is tough to stay motivated with the many distractions vying for our time with our children at home,” says designer Christina Byers in Port Washington, New York. “But what really keeps us going is knowing that many of the back-of-the-house improvements that we’re making to streamline processes will pay off in the long run and help us to be more efficient with our time moving forward.”
One such back-of-the-house project that Byers has tackled during this pandemic was revising the materials she shares with new clients. But the bigger change has actually been with her team. Byers’ husband, who previously worked as a digital marketing strategist, was laid off in mid-March. The couple decided that he would join Byers in her firm and take over some of the logistical and organizing tasks that were pulling her away from creative design work. He is now handling on-site measuring, building out floor plans, putting in quotes for window treatments and doing other technical tasks that Byers doesn’t love. “I’m really client-facing. I’m talking to the subcontractors,” Byers says. “He’s doing everything from behind the scenes.”
In Byers’ affluent local area, project inquiries have continued during the pandemic, and she has even turned down work. Now the couple hopes that new efficiencies from their partnership will allow her to take on more projects and that together they can grow the business.
See how Houzz Pro can help you run your business more efficiently
Find Fun Ways to Regularly Connect
Hullinger encourages multiple ways for his team to connect as they continue to work remotely. “We’ve been having video lunches on Friday with the whole team,” he says. He also sanctions special events and fun opportunities to share.
For instance, one senior designer who loves mixology sent out an ingredient list so that everyone could make his signature margaritas for Cinco de Mayo and for a team video call. Some people joined the call with ingredients at hand and composed their drinks as the designer instructed. Others came with their drink already prepared.
Another fun way to stay connected is through sharing photos. On the Slack platform, Hullinger’s team members have been posting photos of their pets. Hullinger encourages staff members to get out during the day for walks, and he has asked them to share photos from their walks. “That was really cool to see these dozens of images coming through about their neighborhoods or what they’re proud of,” he says.
If you don’t have a team, finding a group of fellow design or remodeling professionals to share these kinds of connections with can be a good way to get a supportive community incorporated into your work life. This can be helpful if you’re somewhat isolated and still working from home.
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Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
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Hullinger encourages multiple ways for his team to connect as they continue to work remotely. “We’ve been having video lunches on Friday with the whole team,” he says. He also sanctions special events and fun opportunities to share.
For instance, one senior designer who loves mixology sent out an ingredient list so that everyone could make his signature margaritas for Cinco de Mayo and for a team video call. Some people joined the call with ingredients at hand and composed their drinks as the designer instructed. Others came with their drink already prepared.
Another fun way to stay connected is through sharing photos. On the Slack platform, Hullinger’s team members have been posting photos of their pets. Hullinger encourages staff members to get out during the day for walks, and he has asked them to share photos from their walks. “That was really cool to see these dozens of images coming through about their neighborhoods or what they’re proud of,” he says.
If you don’t have a team, finding a group of fellow design or remodeling professionals to share these kinds of connections with can be a good way to get a supportive community incorporated into your work life. This can be helpful if you’re somewhat isolated and still working from home.
More for Pros on Houzz
Read stories in our Resilience series
Learn about Houzz Pro software
Talk with your peers in the Pro-to-Pro discussions
Join the Houzz Trade Program
One strategy that several pros mentioned for being a good team leader right now is simply acknowledging what your employees are going through. The fact is, it can be challenging to be productive amid distractions at home and in the news. Simply naming and accepting the day-to-day juggle of work, family and pandemic stress that many are facing is a way to be kind not only to your team but to yourself.
“I am motivated and focused for much shorter spurts than I was pre-pandemic,” says Leslie Murchie Cascino of Bonnie Wu Design in Ann Arbor, Michigan. “Especially with the last two weeks of social unrest and trying and difficult times, keeping up a full day’s worth of motivation is just unlikely. I have learned to try to forgive myself when I need a break and to try to take steps to make sure that when I am ready to dive in, I can get a good number of things accomplished before I am distracted.”
It’s also important if you have team members working remotely to keep a pulse on how they’re doing and to watch for signs of burnout. Designer Garrison Hullinger in Portland, Oregon, requires cameras to be on for his one-on-one video check-ins with his team. “I’m in touch with employees more than I ever have been,” he says. He wants to make sure that those who need it get additional support from his human resources department.
Acknowledging reality for your team also means having sensitivity regarding how employees are adapting to life during a pandemic, says Cindy Aplanalp of Chairma Design Group in Houston. “Some have school-aged kids, so I’ve been much more flexible with how we all work,” Aplanalp says. And of course, if you are a team of one juggling caring for children with running your business, it’s good to allow yourself that same flexibility.