Dear Madeleine, I manage a business unit for a medium-size business. I have a group of six regional managers who report to me. We have been working remotely since long before Covid and have been using video conference for our team meetings forever. I have a direct report who has begun to refuse to be…
Dear Madeleine, I am so frustrated with what I am calling the “in-person addiction” in my new company. I started here two months before COVID sent everyone home. It was very much a traditional “everyone comes to the office” place before that. I am surrounded by people who are still struggling with the virtual aspect…
As strange as it may seem, a virtual workplace team can learn a lot from online competitive video games. For both, team members have set roles, clear and shared goals, and a designated action plan to achieve those goals. And also for both, communication is absolutely paramount. One such game that is wildly popular is…
In 1997 I asked my boss to consider allowing me to telecommute on a part-time basis. My proposal went down in flames. Although the company already had field-based people who telecommuted full-time, and my boss herself worked from home on a regular basis, the prevailing mindset was work was someplace you went, not something you…
One of the most powerful aspects of telecommuting or working virtually is that, whether you are an individual contributor or a leader, you have more choice about how you show up to your colleagues. Unless your laptop camera is very high quality resolution, people meeting with you virtually probably won’t notice the bags under your…
Because of the diversity of ideas and perspectives, virtual teams are the ideal forum to gather best practices and implement changes across geographical and organizational boundaries. Unfortunately, time zone challenges and large group meetings with little time for involvement mean most virtual teams do not live up to their potential. How do you as a…
If you don’t work as part of a virtual team on a regular or occasional basis, chances are you have colleagues or friends who do. Fifteen years ago it was a different story. I remember asking my boss at the time if I could telecommute one day a week. I have a 40 mile (one…
If you really want to pay better attention to what is going on in your team, stop running your own virtual meetings. It’s almost impossible to run a meeting, manage an agenda, present ideas, and also pay attention to group dynamics. Here’s why: 1. If you create the agenda, you have a vested interest in pushing…
“Since you are interested in virtual work, let me show you our video conferencing capability.” The room was impressive. The huge wall screens provided a full view of participants at tables in other locations. The ceiling-mounted microphones and speakers and the large, locked cabinet of sophisticated controls showed the effort and expense invested in this…
When communication happens primarily through technology, as it does with virtual teams and remote employees, trusting relationships take longer to develop. Effective one-on-one meetings are a powerful tool to keep employees motivated and positive. Here are four tips to make your one-on-ones as effective as possible. Let the direct report choose the best time. As…