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

​

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

​

This month's focus here at the Teams365 blog  has been on virtual and remote teamwork and leadership. Check out our March 2017 posts if you haven't been along on the journey so far.

Today's post covers a range of virtual team faux-pas or mistakes. Things that when overlooked, can lead to missed opportunities, and sometimes a reduction of trust and connection. Consider how you might as a team be able to avoid these and what solutions make most sense for you:
* Not trying to meet regularly - Regular meetings are important in the virtual domain AND an important corollary is that meetings should meet the needs of the group in terms of efficiency. What can be shared before or after the meeting rather than during the meeting. "Out of sight does not always equal out of mind"
* Not thinking that different team members need support - Being on a virtual team can be isolating. While many of us love the autonomy this provides, it doe not mean that we don't need support. Be clear with support needs across the team. Regular 1-1s can be important in the virtual/remote world.
* Not considering what type of support different team members need - Given that teams are diverse and complimentary, it is likely that team members will need different types of support. Spend time this week inquiring what type of support is most useful if you don't know.
* Duplication of effort  - Watch for how much duplication of effort occurs. This can be a signal that some changes are required around roles and responsibilities, priorities and/or communication.
* Priorities that become competitive - Having a line of sight across the team and priorities can be important in avoiding or minimizing this mistake
* Not having consistent measurement across the team  - What does success look like from each team member's perspective around their current priorities and initiatives. Be careful to note what consistent measurement means and looks like.

What other faux-pas are you aware of or want to take note of for your team

Enjoy your Wednesday,
Jennifer

As we start to wind down our a-z of virtual and remote team leadership I wanted to thank you for joining us for some, or all, of the posts. Over the last six weeks we've been looking at various characteristics which make virtual and remote team leaders X-CEL (excel).  We explored factors such as building trust and connection, and being clear with expectations.
We also saw other factors that made virtual and remote team leaders X-Cellent (Excellent) including using coaching skills, asking questions and toubleshooting.

As you think about your own work, what is going to help you and your team X-Cellerate (Accelerate) your results and relationships?

Have a great start to the week,
Jennifer


Jennifer Britton, MES, CPT, PCC
Potentials Realized
Supporting Team Leaders to do their best work, one conversation at a time
Coaching Skills Training | Teamwork | Leadership
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching(Jossey-Bass, 2013
Phone: 416-996-8326
Connect with us on Facebook or Twitter

aOver the last week we have been focused on remote work. Today's post looks at four ways to minimize distractions when working reote. They are:

1. Clear space for where you are going to work - whether our workspace is a small table which folds  back into the wall when we are done, or we have dedicated office space, clearing the clutter can be an important step in creating space to focus and be productive.
Consider where you work - what needs to be cleared? Spend 15 min this week clearing yourself more space.

2. Make sure you have what you need in order to do your work. Small issues can become big issues when working remote. An old laptop which crashes regularly, taking with it your hard work, becomes a liability. Slow internet speeds can also take a toll. While these issues might be minor pain when working remote once a month, if you need to work remote several days a week, the cost adds up. Consider what you might be tolerating in terms of equipment/resources that just aren't cutting it. What's the cost of replacing them? What's the cost if you don't?

3. Consider when you are at your peak for different types of work. some of us like the early morning to get out thoughts down on paper, while others like to tackle calls first thing in the morning. Consider your style and preferences in terms of w hen you would like to get different tasks accomplished, and SCHEDULE IT IN.

4. Sometimes we get distracted because we don't allow ourselves time fora break, or we don't allow ourselves to get into the flow of one activity at a time. While there are many tips to time management that we've covered (check  out all our time management tips here), months ago I wrote about the Pomodoro approach where you set a timer for a set amount of time (i.e. 25 minutes) and work until the alarm goes off). other time management gurus recommend a 10 minute break every 50 minutes. What is going to keep you focused and at your prime in terms of productivity.

Let us know which tips you try out and what you find useful!

Best
Jennifer

Jennifer Britton
Potentials Realized | Coaching Team Leaders
Team and Leadership Development | Coaching | Retreats.
Author of From One to Many: Best Practices for Team and Group Coaching (Jossey-Bass, 2013) and Effective Group Coaching (Wiley, 2009)
Follow us on Twitter @Teams365
Phone: (416)996-8326