I drafted this post months ago, before people went into COVID-19 lockdown. Like another recent post, I think it’s even more relevant now. Working remote? Overcommunicate and reinforce your availability, as much as you can.
I’ve worked in some organizations where civilian employees would come into work unusually early so they could leave unusually early and spend less time engaging with others.
All power to them if the hours were vital to a personal situation – for all I know many of them were caring for family members, going to school, or coping with a medical situation. Maybe their non-PAO jobs were fine for an 0600-1430 workday.
However, I feel for them, and their colleagues, if the unusual hours were solely to minimize their opportunities to engage and collaborate.
PAOs, we’re paid for our time, which is our only limited resource. Make the most of it by maximizing your availability to solve problems and build trust. Strive to be available during the duty day. Expect to sometimes have phone calls and reading on nights and weekends.
Be present where your people are. When you can’t, make it easy for people to find you. Respond to people, even if it’s just to say “I’ll call you back in the morning.”
Within reason, of course. I didn’t call this post, “Always Be Available All the Time.” We all have times we must be unavailable – like leave, travel, or focused work. Just, within your power, maximize the amount of time you are available for important work.
(Photo by Staff Sgt. Benjamin Crane, DVIDS)
