Proximity bias describes how managers treat workers who are physically closer to them more favorably. To overcome and instill a culture of excellence anywhere, leaders should:
1. Establish clear communication channels. Encourage virtual communication, such as regular video calls, instant messaging, and email, to ensure everyone is on the same page. In fact, set specific times of the day for virtual ‘drive-bys’ to allow your hybrid staff to text or call you for a quick question or update.
2. Set clear goals and expectations. Clearly define goals and expectations for the team and regularly check in to ensure they are being met. Some of your staff might not need this (your top performers), and some might need a little more TLC (new or recently promoted staff).
3. Foster a sense of community. Create opportunities for virtual team-building and encourage informal conversations to build camaraderie and foster a sense of belonging. I used to host a 15-minute team status meeting daily to engage the team and promote interaction, and no one was left out in the cold.
4. Provide regular feedback. Offer regular feedback to team members to help them understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Yearly reviews are the death knell for any competent leader — break your feedback loop into 12 short catch-up meetings to review their progress, provide acknowledgment, and help them with obstacles they might encounter.
5. Celebrate successes. Regularly celebrate the achievements of individuals and the team to boost morale and motivation. Point to the top performers and acknowledge their achievement — this enables the associate and provides a standard for the other team members to aspire to.
6. Give more focus to the orphans on your team. You know who they are — the individuals working on long, never-ending projects, the low-exposure work, or their proximity to your office is immense (on the other side of the globe). These are the first people who become disaffected and unwanted — ensure you spend a little more time with them to make them feel special and the center of your universe.
7. Encourage work-life balance. Set flexible work hours and allow for remote work to promote work-life balance and reduce burnout. This isn’t the 1980’s — people’s work and life responsibilities have changed. In addition, technology has exploded in the past 40 years — take advantage of the flexible nature of work. Let your people work smarter, not harder or longer. That’s a prescription for attrition — and your prescription is for more cowbell.
By implementing these strategies, leaders can create a culture of excellence that transcends physical proximity and fosters a supportive, inclusive, and high-performing team.