Teams365 Blog - POTENTIALS REALIZED

teams 365 #3343: Month End Review and Planning for March

2/28/2023

It’s the end of another month, and the start of March. Have you taken a few minutes to consider what’s important for you right now?

Here are some questions to support you in creating a reflective pause around what’s possible this month:

1. As you reflect on February, what have been your successes and accomplishments?
2 What are you most proud of?
3. What successes this month do you want to duplicate? What has been some of your key learnings?
4. What key relationships have helped you so far this year? Which ones need more attention?
5 What has helped your successes? What has hindered?
6. What does your team need to be acknowledged for?

As you look to March, consider these questions:
1. What are your key priorities for the month?
2. What are the key goals?
3. What are the major priorities?
4. What will you need to place attention on?
5. What changes do you want to make in March?
6. What resources do you want to tap into?

Enjoy the conversation

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

teams 365 #3342: Onboarding

2/27/2023

Welcome back to another week! We’re kicking off this week with a post on top tips for onbaroding, brought to you via Chat GPS. Here’s what they wrote:

Onboarding new team members is a crucial aspect of any organization, and with the advent of hybrid workspaces, it has become even more critical to ensure that new hires are adequately oriented and integrated into the team. In a hybrid workspace, team members work both remotely and in person, and therefore, the onboarding process must cover a few core areas to ensure that the new team member has a smooth and successful transition into the organization.

Communication Tools and Protocols: One of the most crucial aspects of onboarding new team members in a hybrid workspace is to introduce them to the communication tools and protocols used by the organization. This includes the video conferencing software, messaging platforms, email etiquette, and other communication protocols. Ensuring that the new team member is comfortable with these tools and knows how to use them effectively is essential for successful collaboration.
Company Culture: A new team member needs to be acquainted with the company culture and values to be able to fit into the team seamlessly. This includes understanding the company's mission, vision, and values, the work culture, and the company's expectations of its employees.
Job Roles and Responsibilities: It is vital to ensure that the new team member understands their job role and responsibilities, the tasks they are expected to perform, and the deadlines for completing them. Clear communication about job expectations helps new team members understand their role in the organization and work collaboratively towards achieving shared goals.
IT and Security: In a hybrid workspace, the IT infrastructure and security protocols play a critical role in ensuring data privacy and secure communication. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the new team member understands the organization's IT policies and procedures and the security measures that are in place to protect sensitive information.
Team Collaboration: In a hybrid workspace, team members may work remotely or in person. Therefore, it is crucial to ensure that the new team member understands the team's collaboration processes, the tools used for collaboration, and the expectations around communication and feedback.

In conclusion, onboarding new team members in a hybrid workspace requires a more comprehensive approach that covers the core areas of communication, company culture, job roles, IT and security, and team collaboration. Ensuring that new team members have a smooth and successful transition into the organization will not only benefit the new hires but also contribute to the overall success of the team and organization.

What areas would you like to put more attention around?

Enjoy the conversations!

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3341: Week in Review

2/26/2023

This week we took a look at a number of key topic areas including:

Saturday - Weekly Journaling Prompt – What does saying NO look like?
Friday’s – Flashback to 12 Ways to Boost Connection in Calls – Teams365 #2507
Thursday – VIDEO – Team Culture in Focus -
Wednesday’s – The Chat GPT version of what to do to make meetings more efficient
Tuesday’s – A reminder of the 8 Essential Meeting Questions

Monday’s inquiry around what you are doing to make your meetings more effective. Have you been able to save 322,000 hours like the NPR article asks?

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3340: Weekly Journaling Prompt – What does saying NO look like?

2/25/2023

Welcome back to another weekly journaling prompt. This week we are exploring the question of WHAT Does NO look like?

Setting, and maintaining, boundaries is critical for success in today’s evolving workspace. Burnout has become a critical issue for many, especially for those of us who may be juggling multiple roles and hats.

I hope that you will enjoy this week’s question: What does NO look like?

Enjoy the reflection!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3339: 12 Ways to Build More Connections with Your Virtual Calls

2/24/2023

One of the missing factors in the virtual space these last few years has been an intentional focus on connecting, involving, and engaging those in virtual calls and meetings. So many use meetings as an opportunity to “talk at” the group on the screen rather than hear from those on the call.

With meetings at many organizations, like Spotify, which I highlighted earlier this week – link to Monday – paying more attention to meetings it can be important to revisit these.

I wanted to bring back an earlier post on 12Ways to Boost Connection in Your Virtual Calls – A flashback to Teams365 #2507 - TEAMS365 #2507 – 21 Ways to More Connection in Your Zoom or Team’s Calls #virtualmeetings - POTENTIALS REALIZED

Here’s what I wrote
There are many different types of calls we have during the week, with most not having as much connection and dialogue as they could. The beauty of the virtual space is that conversations and connection can take place in a number of ways.

As I shared this summer in the Stand Out Virtually Challenge, we want to connect people on five levels:

To you, the host
To each other
To the content you are offering
To the context in which you are having the conversation
To the technology

Consider these 12 different possibilities for creating more connection:

Doing a pre-call with each participant to learn ore about them
Sharing a welcome video message instead of/or in tandem with a welcome email
Having group members share a welcome video introduction
Using Breakouts to connect people
Assigning an accountability partner or buddy during the process
Taking a poll to see where everyone is thinking around a topic
Using annotate to have people stamp where they are in agreement around a question or topic
Doing a scavenger hunt during the call
Using an icebreaker like BINGO during the call to find things in common
Using Kahoot to connect people into the content you covered
Using MentiMeter to take a poll
Using mural to help people connect and share ideas

What else can you do to incorporate more connection on the five levels?

Enjoy the conversation!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Coaching Skills Training | Leadership Development | Teamwork
Growing Team Leaders, One Conversation at a Time™ in the Remote Space
Contact us to discuss leadership, coaching or performance needs for your and your team
Phone: (416)996-8326

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3338: VIDEO – Team Culture in Focus

2/23/2023

It’s Thursday which means that it’s time for another team video. This week we are taking a look back at the popular topic of Team Culture.

Take a look at what I write about core elements of team culture in the 90 Day Guide for Success:

What is important to note?

Warm regards,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

TEAMS365 #3337: Building Trust in a Hybrid Team - AI Style

2/22/2023

Each Wednesday this year I am turning to Chat GPT to create a blog post for the Teams365 blog, aligned with the many topics we explore for teams and organizations in today’s evolving workspace.
Today I had Chat GPT create a blog post on Building Trust in a Hybrid Team, a key topic for teams today. Here’s what they created!

In today's world, it is increasingly common for teams to be composed of members working in different locations, often across time zones. This hybrid approach, known as a hybrid team, brings together the best of both worlds: the flexibility and convenience of remote work with the benefits of having an in-person team. However, building trust among hybrid teams can be a significant challenge. Below are some tips for building trust in a hybrid team:

Use technology to your advantage: Hybrid teams have access to numerous tools and technologies that can help build trust. Video conferencing, instant messaging, and project management software are just a few examples. Use these tools to communicate regularly and consistently with your team members.
Clarify roles and expectations: In a hybrid team, it is essential to establish clear roles and expectations for each team member. This can include defining responsibilities, setting deadlines, and communicating project goals. When everyone is on the same page, it is easier to trust that each team member is doing their part.
Foster a culture of transparency: Hybrid teams often lack the natural opportunities for water cooler conversations or quick check-ins that come with being in the same location. Therefore, it is essential to promote transparency in communication. Encourage team members to share updates and progress on projects regularly. This helps to create a sense of accountability and trust.
Show appreciation: Celebrate successes, big and small. Recognize the achievements of individual team members and the team as a whole. This demonstrates that you value your team's hard work and contributions, and it goes a long way in building trust.
Schedule regular team-building activities: Finally, it's important to foster a sense of team unity by creating opportunities for team members to connect and bond. Regular team-building activities, both virtual and in-person, can help build trust and foster stronger relationships among team members.

In conclusion, building trust in a hybrid team takes effort and commitment, but it is an essential component of creating a successful and productive team. By using technology to your advantage, clarifying roles and expectations, fostering a culture of transparency, showing appreciation, and scheduling regular team-building activities, you can build trust and create a strong, effective hybrid team.
END of Chat GPT’s creation.

Back to me now -
What is important for you to note as a team right now?

What are the different actions you can take to build trust in these areas that Chat GPT identified?

Let us know using the comments below.

Enjoy!
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

TEAMS365 #3336: More effective meetings with the 8 Essential Meeting Questions

2/21/2023

Yesterday I linked to a great new article about how Spotify has saved 322,000 hours of meeting time since the start of the year. WOW!

Whether you swing hard to the no-meeting side of the pendulum, or look to make your meetings more effective, a reminder to ask yourself the 8 Essential Meeting Questions I share in Effective Virtual Conversations © Jennifer Britton, pp

What’s the purpose?
What takeaways do we want?
Who needs to be on the call?
What preparation is needed for us to be most effective in the meeting?
What pace to do we want in order to keep it engaging?
What will help keep the focus?
What’s absolutely essential? (versus what will be nice to cover or where can people go for more information around topics?)
What follow up might be required?

(Excerpt: Effective Virtual Conversations, Britton, page 304, 2017)

Best wishes,
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

Teams365 #3335: Can you save 322,000 hours like shopify did with your meetings?

2/20/2023

Welcome to a new week here at the Teams365 blog. This week we continue our journey around core topics related to teamwork, productivity and leadership in an evolving workspace.

Monday – Can you save 322,000 hours like shopify did with your meetings?
Last week NPR reported on the amount of time saved when Shopify cancelled all meetings with more than two people. Earlier this year they changed the way they worked and wound up saving 322,000 hours of meeting time since the start of the year. Unbelievable, AND believable. Since the pandemic, meetings have become endemic.

One of my favorite writers on collaboration, Morten Hensen, reminds us not to collaborate for collaborations sake.

As he reminds us in his book, “Collaboration, Leaders who pursue disciplined collaboration never lose sight of this dictum: collaboration is a means to an end, and that end is great performance.” (p.16)

Like many other leadership topics, there can be pendulum swing around this topic of collaboration.

What is the right balance for you in terms of meetings, 1-1 time, and informal collaboration?

Enjoy your reflection!
Jennier

Check out the article here.

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.

teams 365 #3334: Week in Review

2/19/2023

We’ve had another full week here at the Teams365 blog, with a focus on core team ingredients (from m perspective as well as a Chat GPT perspective around core team ingredients – note how closely they align!), as well as a spotlight on my latest writing which came out in fall of 2021 – the 90-Day Guide for Success.

Take a look at this week’s posts:

Saturday - Weekly Journaling Prompt – What’s going to make it easier?
Friday’s – Flashback to fall of 2021 and introducing the 90-Day Guide for Success
Thursday – VIDEO – Navigating the 90-Day Guide for Success
Wednesday’s – 6 Essential Ingredients for Team’s Today (CHAT GPT Version)
Tuesday’s – Valentine’s Day – Relationships in Focus
Monday’s Part 2 of the 10 Core Areas to Explore

Enjoy your focus!

Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized |Reconnecting Workspaces | Group Coaching Essentials
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats
Follow us on Instagram @ReconnectingWorkspaces
Phone: (416)996-8326

Check out my TEDx talk

Looking to bring your workplaces back together, whether you are remote, hybrid, or face-to-face? Pick up a copy of my new book, Reconnecting Workspaces, at Amazon.