One of the skills which is important to develop in the virtual world today is empathy. One of the challenges is that we don't get to see beyond the screen.  What are some ways we can be building more empathy and understanding with other virtual team members?

​What comes to mind in terms of ways you can boost more connection and understanding amongst team members?

​Empathy is a skill set critical for teamwork and leadership. In fact I probably coud do a series of post on this topic.  In today's post I want to zoom into the question of "what are some practical ways to build more empathy across virtual teams, while also boosting connection". 

​There have been some great writings by others on the topic of empathy. Consider these articles - Empathy in Leadership - 10 Reasons Why It Matters by Tanveer Naseer. Read it here.
​Matthew Taylor's Empathy in Leadership: Coaching Leaders to Manage Their Stories. Read it here.
Center for Creative Leadership: Empathy in the Workplace. Find this  here.

​As virtual teams, what are some ways we can build our skills in empathy while building connection:

​1. Provide opportunities for team members to get to know each other - online and offline. While some virtual teams will never meet, building in time for "getting to know" each other is critical. This could entail dedicating some time to sharing "What's outside your window" or"on your desk" as I describe in Chapter 7 of my new book Effective Virtual Conversations.

​2. Create formal learning partnerships with others on the team. Many virtual teams benefit from having peer partners to meet with on a regular basis. This helps us to learn more about each other, what projects we are working on. As we listen and learn more trust, connection and understanding is created.

​3. Be present, and listen. We continue to see how important the ability to focus on virtual conversations is. Nothing will destroy trust and connection faster than hearing other person on the end of the phone or streaming typing away -doing an email while you are speaking together. What will it take to be present, focus, and deeply listen in your virtual conversations?

​4. Listen for the deeper layers - typically in listening we may be staying at the surface. Hearing with one ear, and thinking about what we are going to say back to the other person. In the deeper listening needed by virtual teams today, listen to what the person is saying. Notice the pace, pitch of the conversation. Notice what is the emotion behind the words? What is being said? 
​
​5. Take time to share more about your world, your work, your priorities. An important part of empathy is understanding. It's a two way street - being open to share, and being receptive to listening. how much are you sharing about your world, your work and your priorities?

​There are multiple ways be can be focusing on the skills of empathy as we build connection on teams. What are some approaches you as a team want to focus on?

​With best wishes,
Jennifer

​

Back on September 20th I started a series of posts that took us through the fall - 20 Focus Areas for Virtual and Remote Teams, and activities you might consider using with your teams.

From vision work, to developing a team charter, building relationships and EI, to making matrix management work, I shared different activities you might bring into your next team meeting, as well as questions which might frame your next team conversation.

Over the last three months I've covered activities in these areas:

• ​Who are we as a team? Check out Teams #1359: Who are we as a team?
  
• Getting to know each other - team individuals
• What's our vision?
• Creating a team charter or team agreements
  
• Team Roles
  
• Goals - immediate work planning for the next month/quarter. Check out Teams365 #1380 on Goals.
  
• Identifying Strategic Goals. Check out Teams365 #1386 around working with strategic goals.
  
• Knowing our strengths (i.e. StrengthsFinder)
• Knowing our styles (DiSC ) - this can impact communication, decision making
• Difficult Conversations. Check out Teams365 #1394:
  
• Conflict Management
• Providing Feedback to Each Other
  
• Other performance management issues
  
• Time Management and Prioritizing
• Matrix Management. Check out Teams365 #1421 around Matrix Management.
  
• Work-life
• Intercultural skills and knowledge
• Project Management
• Emotional Intelligence
  
• Relationship Building
  

Check out all of the 20 Virtual and Remote Team Activities here.

As a former team leader myself I know that many times we are left with the task of developing our team members, and the 2016 Culture Wizard Survey found, only 22% of virtual teams receive any development support. Read their survey here. Are you one of those 22%?

Mid-summer my new book, Effective Virtual Conversations, was released and it's started making its way into the hands of team leaders all over the world. Chapter 7 is dedicated to different activities you can use with teams. Please check those out.

During November I was able to draft the manuscript of another new book, this one which will be for virtual and remote team leaders, addressing the topic of skills, competencies and practices. It will also include 20 different tools for team leaders and their teams. Keep your eyes open for this new book from me in mid to late 2018!

I've highlighted a number of the activity posts here and hope that you will check out the posts, to build your baseline. Enjoy and let us know which ones you have tried.

Best wishes,
Jennifer

I love today's weekend quote which comes from Erin Meyer who wrote:
"When you meet your workmates by the water cooler or photocopier every day, you know instinctively who you can and cannot trust. In a geographically distributed team, trust is measured almost exclusively in terms of reliability".

What are the behaviors that are building trust on your team right now? (Virtual or other)
What are the behaviors that are hindering, or breaking, trust?
What's does reliability mean on this team?

One of the key themes in Effective Virtual Conversations is the need for virtual facilitators and virtual leaders to take time to build trust and connection with their groups and teams. Otherwise, it's hard to realize the potential of the call or team itself.

What needs attention in this area? What do you want to do?

Have a great weekend,
Jennifer

​Yesterday's post was on Virtual or Remote Team Development and a suggestion for an activity to fovus on results. Virtual and Remote TEam Development can take a number of forms  - from being part of team meetings, to being stand alone days. What are the types of topics you might want to address? Today's post includes 20 different topics which are common for virtual teams. As you take a look at this list you might want to:

1. ​Share it with the team. What would they prioritize as the topic five topic areas for discussion?
2. Consider in what format you would want to address these (as part of a team meeting, as a separate one)

Here are some of the more common remote and virtual team development topic areas:

• ​Who are we as a team? 
• Getting to know each other - team individuals
• What's our vision?
• Creating a team charter or team agreements
• Team Roles
• Goals - immediate work planning for the next month/quarter
• Identifying Strategic Goals
• Knowing our strengths (i.e. StrengthsFinder)
• Knowing our styles (DiSC ) - this can impact communication, decision making
• Difficult Conversations
• Conflict Management
• Providing Feedback to Each Other
• Other performance management issues
• Time Management and Prioritizing
• Matrix Management
• Work-life
• Intercultural skills and knowledge
• Project Management
• Emotional Intelligence
• Relationship Building

​Over the last 3 years it is likely that you will find a number of posts related to HOW to address some of these areas. 

​You may also notice that some of these topics are team-focused, while others are individually focused. Depending on how your team operates, and what stage of evolution it is at, you may find a preference for one or another.

What team events do you have scheduled during which you could focus on some of these topics? What do you see as current priorities? 
What other questions would be useful to consider as you look at these topics?

​I hope that today's post has sparked some interest?

One of the main themes here at the Teams365 blog is helping team leaders and their team members thrive. Yesterday's post looked at six elements new virtual teams need in order to thrive. Today’s post covers several core areas new team leaders require for success as they assume a new role. These items include:

1. Support and dialogue around what changes might be required regarding their new role
2. Mentoring by someone experienced who can share best practices and their experience in leading virtual teams
3. Budget to travel out to meet with their team and bring them together on a regular basis. Out of sight does not mean out of mind, as just as we invest in co-located teams, investing in the development of virtual teams is also necessary
4. Necessary tech support for the team in order to connect effectively, efficiently and real-time. This might involve using a combination of Web Ex or Zoom for virtual meetings, and portals such as Slack for keeping people connected and sharing documentation/materials on a real-time basis.
5. Regular development opportunities and check ins with their peers and staff to share best practices and also to be able to enhance their skills

While we are often keen to offer more training for our leaders, in the case of virtual team leaders, consider how training can be supplemented by both mentoring and coaching (group and/or 1-1).

In today's business context many teams are moving to a mobile, distributed or remote work force. Whether it's because the talent pool is dispersed, or commute times are pressurizing employees, remote work can be as effective or more so, when virtual teams are set up for success. Today's post explores six things new virtual teams need in order to thrive. These elements include:

1. Clarity regarding reporting relationships. Who are they to report to on what issues? When is reporting required? If matrix reporting relationships exist, what do they report to whom? What issues need to be co-reported?
   
2. Clarity regarding expectations regarding working – hours, approaches, breaks, how to log and share work etc.
   
3. The technology and ability to connect with others in the team and across the organization. Working remote can be a lonely endeavor and just as social time is important for face to fae teams, so is face to face for virtual team.
4. Regular check ins and feedback. Regular check-ins and feedback may revolve around the questions:
   1. How’s it going?
   2. What’s working? What’s not?
   3. What support do you need?
   4. What are your current priorities?
   5. What resources do you need in order to get the results you need?
5. Platforms so they can see each other and connect with their team. This could include regular virtual potlucks where the tea actually connects for a meal from each of their locations. It could also include face-to-face time – quarterly or on a regular basis.
   
6. Clarity regarding how to flag issues: What issues to raise and when. Who should they be flagging issues to? When is the team leader available and how?
   

What other elements do you see as essential for new virtual teams to hit the ground running?

Enjoy the start of your week,
Jennifer

"This week's theme is all about working more effectively when you are working remote. In today's #FlashbackFriday post I am taking us back to #Teams365 #792 on Five Ways to Make Remote Work, Work for You. Here's what I wrote:

This week we're looking at remote work arrangements. As someone who has always had to work remote and/or mobile for most of my career since the early 1990s I thought it would be useful to share a few tips for how to make it work for you. Today's post covers five things you can do as a remote worker to make it work for you, and your employer:

1. Create a dedicated workspace. Just as in a typical office space, create a dedicated office space. Depending on the type of work you do it may be a standalone desk or table, with access to internet and/or phone. Consider if you need doors, a filing cabinet that locks, and/or other things to do your work. It can be tempting to spread everything out, but boundaries in remote work arrangements helps you to create balance. Consider what space will be dedicated to working, and what you want to put away at the end of the day.

2. Set regular office hours, and break times too.  Just as in any office, it's important to set regular office hours, and break times. We can only be productive for so long, so build in breaks as well as a start and an end. You may find that without the commute, you can start even earlier, and end earlier in the day, or perhaps you want to fit in a swim (as I do) or workout at lunchtime, to clear the cobwebs and create space for thinking.

3. Consider what pieces of work are done best remote, and what you will need to be able to access. It's important to have everything at hand in order to do your work. What needs to be accessible remotely on Dropbox, via a VPN or other? How will you keep documents secure?

4. If you are working remote for long periods of time, consider how you will stay connected with the office. It's important to stay connected with the office when you work remote. Consider how you can integrate face to face time and/or video skype calls with your team members and boss. Just because you are not physically there doesn't mean you aren't part of the team.

5. Be proactive in communication with your team and your boss. As in this last point, consider how you can best stay connected with your boss and the team. What updates are important to provide, what meetings do you want to schedule You may find that you are more intentional and deliberative in your communication. this might actually set a nice precedent for others in the office as well!

What other tips do you have for working remote?

​Have a great Friday,
​Jennifer

Today's post includes a short checklist on essential remote working items you will want to put into place before you start working remote for extended periods of time. These include:

• ​A dedicated workspace
• Access to power station/charging areas
• Printer
• Filing cabinet (which can be locked)
• Baseline office supplies - envelopes, pens, file folders, tape, stapler, scissors, labels, etc
• Computer supplies - cords and chargers, surge protected power bars, extra ink
  
• A place where things can be put away when not working
  
• An ergonomically comfortable chair\
  
• A headset and/or microphone for virtual calls
  
• A good built in webcam or external webcam
  
• Excellent (not just good) Internet connection
  
• Lots of storage!
  

​What else do you think might be useful to have on hand?

​Check out this other post from last year on other resources you may want to check out to support you in your virtual work.

With best wishes,
Jennifer

This month we are going to continue to focus on best practices for virtual and remote work, along with more tips for team development in the virtual space.

​The shift to working remote can be a big one and today's post covers three focus areas to keep an eye on if you are moving from an in-person workplace to one that is remote. Consider these items:

​1. Find a dedicated place to work: Having a comfortable, and efficient work place is critical for remote work. What is the dedicated space you have? Consider lighting, layout, comfort. What needs adjustment?

​2. Set up a routine that works for you, and those around you. Focus, structure and routines are just as important in the remote workplace. Consider what is going to be the best routine for you in tems of start and stop times, breaks etc. Be firm with your time and boundaries as you are working!

​3. Make a concerted effort to build relationships - Relationships are critical to success in the remote workplace. Schedule focused time on socializing and building relationships with your colleagues. Whether it's going into the office a couple of days a month, or dedicated virtual social time, take time to foster the relationships with your colleagues. Streaming technologies make it much easier to have a lunch time or coffee get together, like you might in the workplace.

​What is going to help you be most productive and efficient when working remote?

With best wishes,
Jennifer

​

For the next few Thursdays we are going to be focusing on different activities you can use with your team to enhance relationships and also get clearer on results.

Even though we may be meeting, we might not really know what everyone is focusing on. In this activity which I call – What’s on your desk? – each individual gets to share what is on their desk. Figuratively and literally. This can be a very powerful connector for people who work together on a virtual team.

It’s also fun to give people a visual “snapshot” of what their desk looks like. Our desks can tell a lot about who we are and how we approach work. From what we have visible – trinkets and photos, to what our desk looks like, it can be a fun connection activity. So for example, if you are working with a virtual team, each person can take a snapshot of their desk and post it during the meeting on your shared whiteboard, or have them send it ahead of time. You could even get people to guess whose desk is whose.

When might you be able to incorporate What's On Your Desk?

Have a great Thursday,
Jennifer