Thanksgiving in the US is usually considered the beginning of “the Holidays.” But if you work with international teams, this raises a couple of important questions. Exactly which holidays are we talking about? And, will we actually be able to get our work done and still allow people to celebrate according to their local and religious traditions? This matters in ways big and … [Read more...]
Working Remotely, Playing Nicely, and Getting the Job Done
To many people, working remotely has one giant perk: we are free from the interruptions caused by other people. Of course, many people say that the biggest downside is the lack of communication with other people. (Honestly, some people are NEVER satisfied.) How you interact with others—because you want to, or because you have to—may make or break your business … [Read more...]
Do Remote Leadership Rules Apply to Contractors?
When talking about people who choose to work remotely we often make some (reasonable) assumptions: They crave human contact, they want to be in touch with their teammates and bosses more often, they need to feel like part of the larger organization, and they miss talking to live humans. These ideas sound rational...but what if it’s not true? Not everyone wants to work that … [Read more...]
Sorting Out the Voices in Your Head
It's not unusual for Long-Distance Leaders to spend a lot of time alone. Now that you no longer share an office with anyone, your actual human conversations have likely diminished. That means the voices in your head might be the most common voices you hear. No, you're not crazy. We all have those voices guiding us and helping us process questions and find solutions. It’s … [Read more...]
There’s a Person on the Other End of That Email
When teams work together in one location, they see each other on a pretty regular basis. They see each other at lunch and in the break room. They pass each other in the hall, or when they walk by a person’s office or desk. They get frequent, visual reminders that other people are part of the team. This dynamic can change radically when people start working remotely. Without … [Read more...]