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...]
Sharing a Boss Doesn’t Make a Team
When we talk about remote work, we throw the word “team” around a lot. But do you have a real team, or just a bunch of people who all report to the same manager? The difference can matter a lot. A recent study on employee engagement by ADP and done by Marcus Buckingham among others, made the claim that those workers, virtual or not, who are part of a team are more engaged … [Read more...]
How to Find the Right Mentor
by Chuck Chapman, Contents Strategy Coordinator On the road to success, there are very few "Lewis and Clark" situations any more. Like geography, there aren't many professional frontiers where you will find yourself treading in uncharted territory. For most if not all of your journey, there are others who have gone before you who can help you navigate the tricky parts...if … [Read more...]
Share the Learning on Remote Teams
One of the most important functions of a team is to share knowledge and learning. Whether you're determining the fastest way to solve a customer problem or where the the creamer is in the break room, we all have a constant need for new data in our lives. When we work apart from each other, that information sharing may not happen without a little nudge. As both a leader and a … [Read more...]
Should Grown-ups Use Emojis at Work?
Email, text, Instant Messaging and other text-based communication has changed the way we work. It’s allowed us to work remotely in ways never imagined only a generation ago. It also has changed the tone, style, and professionalism of that communication. So before you answer the question in our title, here are a couple of other questions for you. What is your reaction when you … [Read more...]