Teams365 Blog - POTENTIALS REALIZED

Teams365 #3013 - Quarterly Wrap-Up: Q1 review and Q2 planning

3/31/2022

This week we are exploring the topic of conflict management here at the Teams365 blog, drawing from Chapter 14 of Reconnecting Workspaces. Today we take a pause as it’s the last day of Q1 and time to do some quarterly reflection as well as planning for the quarter ahead.

I thought it would be interesting to share a video from back in 2019 and the PlanDoTrack body of work. PlanDoTrack is a workbook/planner for virtual and remote professionals, and this book is a sibling to Coaching Business Builder.
As you work through these 17 questions I hope you will get some new insights as to what is important and what needs to be prioritized from your perspective over the next few months.

Quarterly reflection is a critical process in high performance so we can pause, take stock of learning and then move forward.

Enjoy your reflection today!
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 #3012- Principle and Myth around Conflict Management

3/30/2022

This week we’re exploring Chapter 14 of my book, Reconnecting Workspaces, which addresses Conflict Management.

Address issues quickly and surely. “Molehills can become mountains.” In virtual teams, being proactive around conflict is critical. When conflict is not addressed directly and quickly, issues fester and grow much larger than they need to be. Virtual teams are often more diverse than co-located teams, which often means more diverse perspectives, contexts, and opinions. Open communication is key.

It's important to address issues quickly and swiftly. Common issues which are easy to let slide include:

Lateness/tardiness at meetings
Gossip
Lack of preparation
Lack of follow-thought
Not sharing information with others
Poor/sloppy attention to details
Distraction during meetings
Not flagging issues early enough, potentially leading to issues snowballing and impacting others
Inappropriate behaviors or comments
Derogatory statements made about gender, religion, race, age, or other factors

All of these issues are flags and a signal that swift action needs to be taken. Some, like derogatory statements, may also have legal repercussions if action is not taken.

What are the flags you are noticing in your team right now which need to be addressed?

Enjoy the conversation!
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 #3011 - Reconnecting the Workspace Tip: Conflict

3/29/2022

This week we are exploring the topic of Conflict, a significant topic for today’s workspace. In today’s post, I want to share the “Reconnecting the Workspace Tip” I provide at the end of Chapter 14, Conflict Management, of Reconnecting Workspaces. Here’s what I wrote on page 270 of the book.

“Conflict is a challenging topic in the virtual, remote, and hybrid world, given that there may be different preferences in terms of giving and receiving feedback. Additional challenges can be the sense of not knowing others well enough, or feeling like we don’t “see them in action.” Finally, in some workspaces, there may be a sense that there are no channels available in which to raise issues.
What is your common ground and commitment to addressing and resolving the conflict? This can include asking questions like:

• What’s your part of the equation?
• What’s important?
• What’s the connection to the bigger picture?

As you think about reconnecting the workspace, what is important to note about conflict?”

Enjoy the conversation,
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 #3010- Quote: Conflict Management

3/28/2022

This week we are moving forward with the topic of Conflict Management. Conflict is a significant part o the hybrid world. Whether it’s a conflict due to lack of communication across a business, conflict due to resourcing issues, conflict due to the inevitable “office/home” which emerges in a hybrid workspace, this is an important topic to consider in your move to exceptional teamwork and results.

We’ll be exploring this topic here at the Teams365 blog for the next three weeks, and I will be pulling excerpts along the way from Chapter 14 of my book, Reconnecting Workspaces.

Here’s what Bob wall writes,

“Nothing kills relationships more surely than issues left unspoken.”

Questions to Consider Today

What are the issues which are unspoken on your team?
What are the things which you are not addressing?
What else needs to be surfaced and discussed so the team can have the conversations required, and make the decisions needed.

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 #3009 - Week in Review

3/27/2022

That’s a wrap for Chapter 13 and our focus on feedback and performance conversations in the virtual, remote, and hybrid world. This past week we explored the following:

Saturday’s Wrap-up with Chapter 13 of Reconnecting Workspaces

Friday’s Flashback The REVET Model™ of Preparing for Feedback Conversations

Thursday’s Six Teamwork Questions Around Feedback From Reconnecting Workspaces

Wednesday’s Brain Tip from Chapter 13 of Reconnecting Workspaces: How Does Feedback Trigger Us?

Tuesday’s The Six Layers of Connection in a Hybrid Work Environment

Monday’s Kick off for the Week with a Spring Start

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 #3008 - That’s a Wrap with Chapter 13 of Reconnecting Workspaces

3/26/2022

And just like that, another three-week cycle of Reconnecting Workspaces focus is complete. Over the last three weeks, we took a look at Chapter 13 of Reconnecting Workspaces which focuses on feedback and performance conversations in the virtual, remote, and hybrid world. What has been your biggest learning and insights from this series?

Be sure to check out some of these posts from the last three weeks:

Preparing for Feedback – the REVET Model

10 Questions to ask in a hybrid workspace

Gearing up for back to office work – part 1

Gearing up for back to office work – part 2

Neuroscience: How does feedback trigger us?

Planning for Spring

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 #3007- The REVET Model™ of Preparing for Feedback Conversations

3/25/2022

In a physical or virtual environment, particularly one which is hybrid, it’s critical that we prepare for feedback conversations, and don’t just wing it. Feedback conversations in the remote and hybrid space are the focus of Chapter 13 of my book, Reconnecting Workspaces: Pathways to Thrive in the Virtual, Remote and Hybrid World.

I first started writing about providing feedback in the remote space back in 2017 with the publication of Effective Virtual Conversations.

The REVET model to feedback preparation™ is one I have shared many times with the teams that I have worked with over the last 18 years, as well as expanded upon in my writing.

Here’s what I shared about the REVET model back in 2020 as many people were starting to embark on their first round of feedback in the virtual space. Given that things are more complex in the hybrid world, it warrants a focus again:
This week’s Effective Virtual Conversations tip, which you can usually find under the hashtag #letstalkvirtual, is all about Team Feedback. With many teams opting to stay Working From Home for the foreseeable future, team feedback is an important loop to help teams excel.

What are the processes you have in place to keep team feedback moving?

We know that feedback is best when it’s specific (detailed about what the person did well or not well, behaviorally – via things that we can see or tangible outputs). Feedback is best when it’s regular, and as close to the event as possible. The longer between feedback and activity, the less valuable it is.

Feedback can be useful when we receive it from those around us – our bosses, our peers, and those we interface with on projects, or stakeholders. Who are you receiving feedback from?

For many years I have written about, and talked about, the REVET™ model of feedback. We want to make sure that feedback is:

R – What are the roles the person inhabits; what projects are they involved with? What are their goals?
- Considering these questions helps us to make sure that feedback is relevant for the person.
E – Reflect on performance expectations
- What have been the expectations set about performance? What are the key issues they are focusing on, and most likely value feedback around?
V - What do they value?
- Some people value feedback delivered frequently and off the cuff. Other team members may prefer to have feedback offered in a structured fashion, or by writing, with sometime between receiving the feedback and then having the performance conversation.
E – Specific examples. Providing specific examples is absolutely essential for an effective performance conversation.
- Always make sure you have specific examples which you have personally witnessed. If not, you may not be the person to provide feedback in that manner. You could facilitate the discussion with the person and those who see them every day 1-1.
T – Timing. What is the most appropriate time for the conversation? Is it mid-morning? Evening? Lunchtime conversation?

(Copyright 2020 – Jennifer Britton, VRTWL)

If you have a copy of Effective Virtual Conversations, you’ll also want to check out what I write about Appreciations and Acknowledgements on pages 257 – 258. It’s important to take time to pause and share appreciation with each other. This serves to boost trust, and connection, across the team. I recently have included this activity in my latest mini-course for teams – the Remote Team Builders. You can find it here.

What are the things you are doing to create a team feedback loop?

Enjoy the conversations,
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 #3006 - Six Teamwork Questions Around Feedback From Reconnecting Workspaces

3/24/2022

Here are six questions to consider as you as a team sit down to discuss feedback and what’s important about getting the results and relationships you need in order to be successful in the virtual, remote and hybrid space:

SIX TEAMWORK QUESTIONS: DIFFICULT CONVERSATIONS

1. What’s very important about this conversation?
2. What makes it difficult?
3. What are the different perspectives at play?
4. What is the common ground between the parties?
5. What outcome do we want?
6. What’s important to consider about the other person/perspectives?

Excerpt from Chapter 13 – Reconnecting Workspaces – page 254, © Jennifer Britton, All Rights Reserved.

Enjoy the conversation!
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 #3005 - Brain Tip From Chapter 13 of Reconnecting Workspaces: How Does Feedback Trigger Us?

3/23/2022

Chapter 13 of Reconnecting Workspaces focuses on feedback and other performance conversations. Today’s post is an excerpt from Chapter 13, shedding light on some of the neuroscience behind the feedback. Here’s what I wrote in Reconnecting Workspaces,
“Feedback is received by everyone in different ways. Feedback has the potential to significantly impact us and will be seen through the lens of how we see the world. One interesting model to explore is David Rock’s SCARF model.

Consider how feedback triggers us in terms of our own needs as it relates to:
• Status
• Certainty
• Autonomy
• Relatedness
• Fairness

What do you notice about how you give feedback? Is it specific, short, in the moment? Does it need to be integrated with other conversations? What can you do to create regular and ongoing conversation touch points?

Focus feedback on the most important items. Ask yourself, what’s urgent and important? What’s the priority?

As you go to prepare for feedback, ask yourself,
• When are we having the feedback conversation?
• Are we both clear on the purpose of feedback?
• What will create a good environment for the feedback conversation?
• What feedback is considered valuable by the employee around feedback?
• As the leader, what feedback is important for me to provide?
• What specific examples do I have to share?
• What can I do to remember to follow up?”

If you have not taken a look at my own model around preparing for feedback, the REVET model, which I originally shared in Reconnecting Workspaces, keep your eyes open for it on Friday in the Flashback post here at the Teams365 blog.

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 #3004 - The Six Layers of Connection in a Hybrid Work Environment

3/22/2022

Last year when I released my latest body of work, Reconnecting Workspaces: Pathways to Thrive in the Virtual, Remote and Hybrid World, many asked me why I would cover hybrid work arrangements in addition to all remote or virtual.

Today’s workspace has demonstrated to all of us how flexible working arrangements are becoming part of the way people want to work. Whether it’s due to flexibility or for health reasons, supporting members of your team.

Enjoy the conversation,
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.