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...]
How to Lead Remote Teams Effectively-Part 1
Recently, Wayne Turmel sat down with Tom Crea on his podcast "Your Evolving Leadership Journey." Wayne and Tom discussed a number of challenges facing remote teams and their leaders today. You can catch the full episode here. Tom: Wayne, you shared a story about NASA scientists who were asked which is more complex, rocket science or leadership? Tell us about that. … [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...]
When Labor Day Means More Labor
If you’re like me, you approached your computer Tuesday morning with a little trepidation. Maybe you picked up your phone with one eye closed against what awaited you. The reason is that it’s the first Tuesday in September, the day after Labor Day and for many of us who work away from the office the dam burst. Depending on the business you’re in, summer is often a slow time of … [Read more...]
Treating Remote Workers Equally Doesn’t Mean Treating Them the Same
If you have a hybrid team—one where some of your folks work in a central location and some are teleworking or off-site—you have probably heard your share of whining that you’re treating one part of the team differently than the other. It might sound something like this: “The people who work from home, have it made. They don’t have to commute, can wear what they want, and don’t … [Read more...]