Engaging Virtual Teams: How To Foster Collaboration & Productivity While Teleworking

April 2, 2020

• There will be time for Q&A at the end; You can either: • Raise your hand (use icon in the chat box) to ask a question “on camera” • Ask a question in the chat box

• **Please keep your audio muted until we call on you to ask a question**

• Feel free to ask questions along the way in the chat; the moderators will help me to keep track of these

• This will be recorded • If you don’t want to be on camera, you can stop your video and listen in

audio mode

• Give yourself the gift of BEING PRESENT

Housekeeping

• Part 1: Managing Stress During Times Of Crisis

• Part 2: Aligning Yourself To Telework

• Part 3: Aligning & Engaging Your Team Remotely

• Q&A

Today’s Agenda

Now What?

What Do You Most Want To Get Out Of Today’s Webinar?

Guideposts For Managing Stress During Times Of Crisis

Guidepost #1: Under Stress, We (Can) Regress

• Everyone copes with stress differently

• Lack of understanding can erode trust

• We all need to help each other feel connected and stay focused on what’s important right now

Guidepost #2: Use The Platinum Rule

DiSC Style OverviewFast-paced

Cautious

People FirstLogic First

Applying Platinum Rule To DISC Styles

D (Dominant)• Be direct and concise • Avoid taking bluntness

personally

C (Conscientious)• Focus on objective

facts and logic • Expect skepticism

I (Influence)

S (Steadiness)

• Recognize and value their enthusiasm

• Acknowledge the importance of their feelings

• Take an easy-going and warm approach

• Avoid being forceful or rushed

• Remote work cuts down on context cues

• Generosity is a component of trust, i.e. I assume you have good intentions until proven otherwise

• This does not mean overlooking performance issues or bad behavior

Guidepost #3: Make Generous Assumptions

Aligning Yourself To Telework

What Are Some Of The Challenges That Are Showing Up For You With Working

From Home?

• Lack of routine

• No separation of work and home

• Isolation

• Interruptions

Common Challenges

3 Tips To Boost Your Personal Productivity

Tip #1: Have A Dedicated Workspace

DWIGHT SCHRUTEWORKSPACE

Tip #2: Set Weekly & Daily Priorities

• Priorities are different from your to-do list

• I recommend a 3/3/1 formula

• 3 weekly priorities

• 3 daily priorities

• One MUST DO per day - “What’s the one thing that would make me feel happy and proud?”

Tip #3: Find An Accountability Buddy

Aligning & Engaging Your Team

Team Alignment Requires Continuous Communication

• Upwards

• Downwards

• Laterally

3 Key Points Of Alignment For Telework

Key #1: Team Standards

• Work hours • Response time to internal emails/questions • Issues that require urgent response • How changes in team availability will be

monitored (ie- email or calendar?) • Calendar of weekly meetings (1:1 and team) • Use of video vs. phone vs. email

You will want to create agreement on:

• 2014 Partners In Leadership Study • 84% of participants cite the way leaders

behave as the single most important factor influencing accountability

• Only 15% of leaders have CLEARLY DEFINED and BROADLY COMMUNICATED key results

Accountability Starts With Setting Clear Expectations

Key #2: Consistent Meetings

• Morning huddle (15 mins) • Friday weekly summary meeting (30-45 min) • 1:1 Meetings (weekly or biweekly)

“Regular” Team Meeting Structure

Leadership Team Meetings• Morning huddle (15 mins) • Tactical Meeting (45 mins - biweekly) • Strategic Meeting (90 mins - Monthly)

Key #3: Use Tools To Foster Connection

• Zoom • Skype For Business • Microsoft Teams

Video Conferencing

Online Project Communication• Slack • Basecamp • Microsoft Teams

Moving Forward

Monitor Your Team’s Vital Signs

Positive/Healthy Signs

• Improved frequency of communication

• Generosity & Helpfulness • Mindfulness with

communication and behavior

Concerning Signs

• Sharp decrease in performance

• Lack of participation in meetings

• Emotional outbursts or withdrawal

• How am I going to need to pivot as an individual (leader)?

• How is my team going to need to pivot?

• How is my company going to need to pivot?

Future Implications

Questions

Let’s Stay Connected• Email me:

christine@risingculturegroup.com

• Download “5 Leadership Strategies To Increase Engagement” from my website: www.risingculturegroup.com

• Connect on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christinespringer1/