Surviving the Restricted Movement Order - The Psychological Wellbeing
by Edwin Lim, 02 April 2020
As we enter into the second phase of our Restricted Movement order, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to strike fear in human hearts, wreak havocs as it spreads, disrupting business operations, bringing countries to total shutdown, and claiming thousands of lives.
An area of concern that has skipped the monitoring radar of most organisations is the psychological wellbeing of the human persons. In our frantic response to the emergency situation, we have generally forgotten that the most important asset in our organisation is the human persons.
Psychological wellbeing is of crucial importance but often neglected. During this COVID-19 pandemic, it was reported that:
An area of concern that has skipped the monitoring radar of most organisations is the psychological wellbeing of the human persons. In our frantic response to the emergency situation, we have generally forgotten that the most important asset in our organisation is the human persons.
Psychological wellbeing is of crucial importance but often neglected. During this COVID-19 pandemic, it was reported that:
- Depression and suicide rates are on the rise around the globe
- Domestic violence cases have increased significantly
- Divorce rate spikes across China after couples spending too much time together during home quarantine
- Many employees are disappointed with the way they are treated by their employees and are planning to leave the company soon after the home quarantine
During this Restricted Movement Order, here are some practical tips that we can consider to ensure everyone in our organisation stay connected and stay united.
What can you do as a team leader to help your team members?
1. Be Human and Compassionate
Some team members are parents needing to take care of children at home, overwhelmed by baby sitting, household chores and cooking. Some are living in isolation, suffering loneliness, and paralysed by fear and helplessness. Instead of just focusing on business matters, it would be human to have regular catch-up to reach out to your team members to find out how the are coping with the MCO. Your team members will appreciative for that.
2. Offer Hope
In the midst of the pandemic as well as the global economic uncertainty, many are anxious about the future and their jobs. It would be most comforting if the leader could assure the team members of the certainty amidst the uncertainties: tell them that the company is doing its best to Fear is infectious - a leader must always offer hope and constantly radiate positivity.
3. Give Clear and Unambiguous Instruction
In all circumstances, you must be clear and unambiguous when giving instructions. For those working from home, communicate your expectations of your team members clearly and firmly. Set achievable goals, targets and deadlines. Avoid letting your team members work in silos, follow up with the progress at regular intervals even before the deadlines to get the work done. Use video conferencing tools to help to encourage brainstorming, discussing, and generating ideas.
Some team members are parents needing to take care of children at home, overwhelmed by baby sitting, household chores and cooking. Some are living in isolation, suffering loneliness, and paralysed by fear and helplessness. Instead of just focusing on business matters, it would be human to have regular catch-up to reach out to your team members to find out how the are coping with the MCO. Your team members will appreciative for that.
2. Offer Hope
In the midst of the pandemic as well as the global economic uncertainty, many are anxious about the future and their jobs. It would be most comforting if the leader could assure the team members of the certainty amidst the uncertainties: tell them that the company is doing its best to Fear is infectious - a leader must always offer hope and constantly radiate positivity.
3. Give Clear and Unambiguous Instruction
In all circumstances, you must be clear and unambiguous when giving instructions. For those working from home, communicate your expectations of your team members clearly and firmly. Set achievable goals, targets and deadlines. Avoid letting your team members work in silos, follow up with the progress at regular intervals even before the deadlines to get the work done. Use video conferencing tools to help to encourage brainstorming, discussing, and generating ideas.
4. Be Understanding and Reasonable
It is unreasonable to demand your team members to perform at their tiptop condition and deliver their 100% during this Restricted Movement Order Period. Lower your expectations a little because everyone is struggling to cope with this Restricted Movement Order and working from home. Also, equally important to be reasonable and flexible with the working hours and allow your team members to have reasonable time to settle down with the kids, to prepare for meals, to eat, and to feed the family members.
5. Provide Necessary Resources
If you expect your team members to work from home, it would be best to provide the necessary resources. This may include but not limited to the subscription to internet services, cloud services, video conferencing tools, etc.
6. Prepare Your Team Members to Get Back to Work After Restricted Movement Order is Lifted
Be ready to get back to work. You might be ready, but your team members may not. Set up plans, checklist and to-do list for the first two weeks when the operation resumes. Delegate the roles and responsibilities. Brainstorm, discuss, and communicate with your team members to prepare them physically, mentally and psychological to get back to work. In this way, once the MCO is lifted, your operation would quickly get back on track.
It is unreasonable to demand your team members to perform at their tiptop condition and deliver their 100% during this Restricted Movement Order Period. Lower your expectations a little because everyone is struggling to cope with this Restricted Movement Order and working from home. Also, equally important to be reasonable and flexible with the working hours and allow your team members to have reasonable time to settle down with the kids, to prepare for meals, to eat, and to feed the family members.
5. Provide Necessary Resources
If you expect your team members to work from home, it would be best to provide the necessary resources. This may include but not limited to the subscription to internet services, cloud services, video conferencing tools, etc.
6. Prepare Your Team Members to Get Back to Work After Restricted Movement Order is Lifted
Be ready to get back to work. You might be ready, but your team members may not. Set up plans, checklist and to-do list for the first two weeks when the operation resumes. Delegate the roles and responsibilities. Brainstorm, discuss, and communicate with your team members to prepare them physically, mentally and psychological to get back to work. In this way, once the MCO is lifted, your operation would quickly get back on track.
What can you do as a team member to help your team leader?
1. Be Understanding and Accommodating
Your team leader is human too! How often have we forgotten that! Being leader does not mean that he (or she) is not mentally, emotionally and psychologically affected. We are in the same boat; we are in it together. if the boat sinks, we sink together. Be understanding and try to accommodate the temporary work arrangement. It is not easy for a leader to make decision to please every team member. If you have serious concern, you may reach out to your leader - give constructive feedback and suggestions on how we can navigate through the pandemic. Whining and complaining grudgingly behind the back will not help at all to alleviate the situation.
Instead, it harbors ill-feeling, and it will infect and affect the whole team. Before COVID-19 kills you, you would have killed each other.
2. Be Cooperative and Responsible
TEAM = Together, Everyone Achieves More.
To only way for the team to navigate through this difficult moment is to stick together and work together. Corporation is the only key for survival during a disaster.
Be a team player. Be responsible to carry out the tasks assigned to you!
Your team leader is human too! How often have we forgotten that! Being leader does not mean that he (or she) is not mentally, emotionally and psychologically affected. We are in the same boat; we are in it together. if the boat sinks, we sink together. Be understanding and try to accommodate the temporary work arrangement. It is not easy for a leader to make decision to please every team member. If you have serious concern, you may reach out to your leader - give constructive feedback and suggestions on how we can navigate through the pandemic. Whining and complaining grudgingly behind the back will not help at all to alleviate the situation.
Instead, it harbors ill-feeling, and it will infect and affect the whole team. Before COVID-19 kills you, you would have killed each other.
2. Be Cooperative and Responsible
TEAM = Together, Everyone Achieves More.
To only way for the team to navigate through this difficult moment is to stick together and work together. Corporation is the only key for survival during a disaster.
Be a team player. Be responsible to carry out the tasks assigned to you!
3. Establish Constant Communication
Be proactive in reaching out to your team leader and team members. Waiting passively for your team leader and other team members to contact you of reach out is unhealthy. If your organisation is working from home, do not be afraid to "disturb" your team leader and other team members (during working hours, of course); share with them your planning, progress updates, and reporting. Your proactivity, enthusiasm and passion will uplift the team morale especially in this depressing moment.
Be proactive in reaching out to your team leader and team members. Waiting passively for your team leader and other team members to contact you of reach out is unhealthy. If your organisation is working from home, do not be afraid to "disturb" your team leader and other team members (during working hours, of course); share with them your planning, progress updates, and reporting. Your proactivity, enthusiasm and passion will uplift the team morale especially in this depressing moment.
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Enough said, hopefully these practical tips can help your team stay afloat during this COVID-19 pandemic. If you have any other tips, you can always write and share with us.
And for your information, Ampro Solutions is still in operation throughout this Restricted Movement Order Period, if you need anything, please do not hesitate to contact us. Let us stay safe, stay calm, stay strong, and stay connected! Together, we will survive this! |
About the Author Edwin Lim is a rare Malaysian who eats nasi lemak without sambal. He has been a consultant and trainer for more than 15 years. Currently he is the Operation Manager of Ampro Solutions Sdn Bhd. 
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