What do you do when your remote direct reports seem surprised by the feedback they get? They shouldn’t but some people seem to know exactly what and how they’re doing, while others seem oblivious. What’s a leader to do? Lately I’ve been teaching a lot of our Coaching and Feedback at a Distance sessions., and no matter who these folks are or what industry they’re in, the … [Read more...]
Trust is Easier with Evidence
For a remote team to function well, trust is one of the most important factors. We leaders need to believe that people are working when we can’t see them, that the quality of the work will be high, that people are accountable for the deadlines and outputs that others require to achieve the team’s goals. Conversely, they need to believe that their manager will support them, help … [Read more...]
Why Remote Teammates Should Give Feedback
Working remotely by definition means you aren’t in constant contact with your manager or the members of your team. Sometimes, let’s face it, that’s a blessing, and the whole reason you work from home. But as social animals, we all need some contact with the outside world in order to do good work and build the social relationships that make work effective and pleasant. One of … [Read more...]
How Remote Leaders Can Manage Conflict from a Distance
We have heard a thousand times that conflict isn’t a bad thing. No match is lit without friction. Pressure turns coal into diamonds. The list of clichés is long. The fact that they’re true doesn’t eliminate a major sticking point: for many of us, conflict is uncomfortable, and we try to avoid it as much as we can. When we work remotely, conflict is just as uncomfortable as it … [Read more...]
Dinosaurs and Online Presentations
Wayne learned a valuable lesson about presentation skills in the 3rd grade that might make you rethink your attitude about online presentations. https://youtu.be/9gLx_t_eYRs?rel=0&showinfo=0 If you want to get serious about improving your online presentation skills, this course can help. It's also available for organizations that would like to train their leadership. … [Read more...]