One of the most frustrating things about leading virtual meetings is not being able to answer a simple question: are they out there and just listening silently, or are they silent because they aren’t really paying attention? The problem is that they can sound the same to your ears. How do you know the difference? Here are just a few simple ideas to help you get the feedback … [Read more...]
How Leaders Can Encourage Positive Remote Team Relationships
by Kevin Eikenberry and Wayne Turmel No matter where your team members are located, good, strong working relationships are critical in order to have a high performing team. Remote team members don’t have to be “best friends.” They don’t even necessarily have to like each other all the time, but there has to be enough of a relationship to serve as a foundation … [Read more...]
How to Keep Your Remote Conference Call Audience Engaged
by Kevin Eikenberry Remember the movie, Alien? The marketing tag line was, "In space, no one can hear you scream." Well, the tagline for remote meetings might be, "On a conference call, no one can hear you check out." Yes, all the names might be there on the screen as being present, but are they all really there? Or are they playing games on their phones, doing other work, … [Read more...]
Bridging Cultural Divides on International Teams
by Wayne Turmel Many people, when they think of “virtual” or “remote” project teams, immediately think of people scattered all over the globe. That’s actually a small percentage of the remote population, but it certainly has its own unique challenges. I spoke to one project manager who is getting ready to lead her first international team and she was stressed out. “I … [Read more...]
Gain (and Hold) Virtual Employees’ Attention During Meetings
By Kevin Eikeberry, co-founder of the Remote Leadership Institute. You've likely got a meeting or conference call on your schedule, and at least some employees will be calling in from a remote location. When people aren't sitting right in front of you, how do you ensure that they are paying attention and fully understanding your message? Well, you have to earn their … [Read more...]