As leaders we know we are expected to work at least as hard as the people we work with. That’s a given. But today we want to talk about costs of constantly sacrificing yourself. This is relevant to any leader, but when you lead remote teams, there are additional stressors and reasons managers wind up burning out by “taking one for the team.” Ironically, those who take the role … [Read more...]
When to Invest in New Virtual Team Tools
If your virtual team is resistant to using new technology, or you’re suffering update fatigue, (I’m looking at you, Microsoft Lync/Skype/Teams/Whatever’s next) I want you to think about this quote from the head of the Roman Empire in England in the year 80: “I lay aside all hopes of any new works or engines of war, the invention of which has reached its limit and in which I … [Read more...]
5 Simple Improvements for Your Webinar Presentations
I have been teaching online presentation skills for a very long time. Since I led my very first WebEx Introduction class almost 12 years ago, a lot has changed. Technology is better—I can’t remember the last time someone joined a webinar on a dial-up modem, and it’s actually harder to find a computer that doesn’t have a webcam than one that does. Here’s what hasn’t changed: … [Read more...]
Are You Ready to Become a Remote Leader?
by Jane Begum Being a remote leader can be quite a challenge. Managing a team you don’t physically see everyday isn’t easy. The role requires creativity and a great deal of empathy. Below, we’ll tackle some questions that every budding remote leader needs to ask themselves to find out whether or not they’re ready to take on the role. Can You Learn to Fully Trust the People in … [Read more...]
5 Wrong Assumptions HR Makes about Remote Work
I feel sorry for HR people. They are responsible for the least predictable and most combustible resource a company has: human beings. They are often the last to be consulted when a business problem faces a company and the first to be called on for answers. This is true when it comes to setting remote work policy for your company. We’ve said many times that remote work and … [Read more...]