Articles

Productivity

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Collaboration doesn't happen naturally in remote teams.

Unlocking the true power of remote work means mastering the art of virtual teamwork – and it's a skill that can make or break your success.

Why It Matters

The collective intelligence of a team is far greater than the sum of its individual parts. This intelligence can elevate every phase of a project, from initial brainstorming to final review.

But here's the catch: the communication challenges introduced by remote work can undermine your team's collaborative efforts. That's why it's crucial t…

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Mastering visibility is one of the keys to being seen as a “reputable employee”.

Regardless if you’re working for an old-school leader who thinks remote working is a misguided fantasy (Gerstener, 2024) or a new-school leader who’s into hybrid work, autonomy, and management by objectives (MBO), remote workers face an up-hill journey being visible and relevant. The age-old adage of “out of sight, out of mind” remains pertinent, even with the assistance of modern technology and communications.

Despite appreciating MBO and autonomy, remote workers [find they must] self-reinfor…

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Don’t rely only on presence as a sign of progress

In both the office and at home, open communication and clear expectations build trust and help people to succeed. Leaders who are frustrated by lack of visibility in their remote teams can reset expectations by facilitating a discussion of expectations and communication styles as a team.

"Ultimately, you cultivate trust by setting a clear direction, giving people what they need to see it through, and getting out of their way. It’s not about being easy on your employees or expecting less from the…

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Hybrid Town Halls make your remote team unhappy

Hybrid Town Halls prioritise the needs of the in-office staff and leaders over the needs of remote or distributed staff. Where a large percentage of the audience is joining virtually, an all-virtual event instead ensures everyone is given the same experience and opportunity.

Why it matters

Considering the needs of everyone on your team when organising Town Hall meetings, not only creates a better experience for staff, it’s also a better use of everyone’s time (and your money).

Take action

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Lessons we can learn from extreme remote work.

Not all remote teams work from a desk. Remote area firefighting teams work in a dynamically changing environment in wilderness environments. They don’t leave things to chance. They are intentional about how they communicate, collaborate and respond to changing circumstances.

Why it matters

The outer extremes of remote working can offer useful insights for achieving high performance in any remote team.

Take action

  • Provide training to increase remote worker and leader capability.
  • Have a pla…

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