Teams365 Blog - POTENTIALS REALIZED

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 #2992 - Remote and Hybrid Myth Around Feedback and Performance Management

3/10/2022

The myth explored in Chapter 13 of Reconnecting Workspaces is that feedback and performance conversations happen only once a year. Key to performance in any workspace is that we have ongoing feedback cycles. Especially during times of change, incremental change is important.

One of the main challenges with providing feedback to individuals in a hybrid work environment is that we don’t often see them in action. It’s important that feedback is based on observable behaviors, so what you doing to build in moments to see people in action? Whether it’s virtual co-working sessions, job shadowing, or getting people on the team to take a visible lead, creating opportunities for ongoing dialogue around performance can be a big shift in organizations which only viewed feedback as a one-off exercise.

In addition to creating more opportunities to see work in action, how are you also getting clearer on how work outputs are viewed and focused on? A shift to more end results is an important way to work as well.

A third layer which has shifted in the remote and hybrid space is an acknowledgment that coaching can play a key role in enhanced performance. The role of leader in many instances has shifted to thought partner, away from “omnipotent expert”. When we can’t see our staff, it’s even more critical that we empower them to make the decisions they are experts on. This is continuing to lead to significant shifts in the way leaders lead and employees are supported across organizations.

What do you notice about what’s working well with your feedback and performance management culture?

Happy Thursday,
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 #2970 - Myth Around Virtual, Remote and Hybrid Work – Will You Sink or Swim?

2/16/2022

Will you sink or swim? New roles in the virtual space don’t have to be one-upmanship or survival of the fittest.

An old mindset to leadership onboarding in many companies was “Who will sink and who will swim?”

In the remote space, there is a tremendous amount of learning on the job and a need for initiative.

The more effort we put into supporting team members during the first few months of a team member’s role, as well as their ongoing evolution, the more payoff we may see.

It’s often touted that replacing an employee who is not a good fit could cost upward of 1.5 years of that person’s salary. It’s critical that the best fit is found in new roles.

Part of this is considering what supports the person's needs. As I share in my newest book, 90-Day Guide for Success, there are many elements needed for remote and hybrid work success, from support around work, to relationships, to helping people get organized. Each day in the 90-Day Guide for Success takes a look at a different area of remote and hybrid work success. Be sure to check it out at https://www.amazon.com/90-Day-Guide-Success-Pathways-Virtual

Activity: Make a list of all the things you need in order to be successful with virtual, remote, and hybrid work.

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 #2906 - Myth

12/14/2021

I work in isolation. There is a myth that even in the virtual space we work in isolation. In fact, most work today is interconnected. Even if I don’t see you, my work may be dependent on you. In virtual and remote work relationships, the web of connections may be greater than we realize, either enabling or hindering our efforts.

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
https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_virtual_remote_and_hybrid_checklist_aug_2021

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 #2874 - Myth: It's All About the Leader

11/12/2021

A myth in the virtual space is that it’s all about the leader, when in fact, it’s usually all about the efforts of the entire team.

While not to minimize the role of the leader who plays a key role in coordinating, and, as Drucker says, “orchestrating,” a large part of the virtual leader’s role is to ensure that the team has the resources, skills, tools, and direction to do their best work.

Happy Friday,
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
https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_virtual_remote_and_hybrid_checklist_aug_2021

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 #2851- Reconnecting Workspaces Myth:Teamwork Practices

10/20/2021

The myth for Chapter 8 is “There is a myth that everyone is the same. That we have the same needs, wants and preferences. We know that socialization, education, and upbringing shape what we value, how we operate, how we work, make decisions, involve others, and address conflict. Remote teams by nature are more diverse.” (Reconnecting Workspaces, page 139, Jennifer Britton)

The strength of teams is its diversity. What myths are you holding around teamwork and what makes you a strong team? What makes you a unique team?

Chapter 8 of Reconnecting Workspaces https://www.amazon.com/Reconnecting-Workspaces-Pathways-Thrive-Virtual/dp/0993791557

Enjoy your 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
https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_virtual_remote_and_hybrid_checklist_aug_2021

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 #2830 - Myth: I Need To Have All The Answers

9/29/2021

The Chapter 7 Myth in Reconnecting Workspaces is “I need to have all the answers. I shouldn’t share what I know.”

In fact, it’s nearly impossible to know everything in the remote space. We need to be able to collaborate with others to get a big picture and this usually involves sharing what we know.

As you consider your work, where would you benefit from more sharing? What information do you feel you need in order to your work? What is important to note about information flow?

There is an important skill to thriving in the remote space which is being comfortable with not knowing. Many of us have learned how to be more at ease when we don’t have the entire picture, and we aren’t clear on everything. What do you notice about the strategies you employ to get clearer on things?

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 at https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_virtual_remote_and_hybrid_checklist_aug_2021

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 #2809 - Myth: We All Want to Communicate in the Same Way

9/8/2021

Myth: We all want to communicate in the same way. There are many different styles and preferences which exist on a team. There will be team members who want to verbalize everything and tell their story, and there will be others on the team who prefer a reflective pause before sharing their ideas. Some team members will want to share their ideas in writing, rather than verbally. Others just want to get on with their job, finding verbal communication a waste of time and preferring a text. What do you notice about how different team members want to communicate?

(Excerpt: Reconnecting Workspaces, Jennifer Britton, 2021)

Enjoy your 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 at https://www.ted.com/talks/jennifer_britton_virtual_remote_and_hybrid_checklist_aug_2021

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 #2795 - Myth that the Leader is a Driver

8/25/2021

Chapter 5 focuses on the Triad of Trust, Safety and Connection. The myth I share in Chapter 5 around remote work is this,

“Myth: Leader as Driver (it’s all about the team). Whether it’s been due to a top-down model of leadership, limited resources, or other factors, one of the myths which gets shattered in the virtual space is that it’s “all about the formal leader.” In the virtual space it is important to equip everyone as leaders with the necessary skills, authority.” (Excerpt: Reconnecting Workspaces, Britton, page 89)

At your workplace right now, what do you notice about how important it is for everyone to have skills and talents in their work?

A few week’s ago I shared the nine core skills needed by all employees, which you can find in the Teamwork Practices chapter. What do you notice about what skills are needed in your workplace? We talked about skills such as relationship building, and emotional intelligence, as well as the ability to work across differences.

What else is important to notice in your work?

Enjoy your 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

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 #2774 - Myth: Everyone Is The Same

8/4/2021

The Myth of Chapter 4 is “Everyone is the same. In fact, a team is a diverse collection of individuals. Treat everyone as unique. Each team member will bring different strengths, styles and socialization. One brush cannot work for all!” (Excerpt, page 63, Reconnecting Workspace)

One of the most exciting and vibrant parts of teamwork is the fact that everyone is different. It can be really important to spend time getting to know each other, and getting to understand how each person is different. Differences create strength in a team, and research continues to show that teams which excel are complimentary, not the same.

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

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.