Articles

Leaders

013 - virtual brainstorming_Article cover

Power up innovation in your remote team

You might think that virtual brainstorming sessions are less effective than in-person ones, but that's not necessarily true. In fact, when done correctly, virtual brainstorming can be more productive, inclusive, and efficient than traditional face-to-face sessions.

Why it matters

Remote work doesn’t have to be a barrier to innovation, it can enhance it. Teams that intentionally redesign their idea generation process for the remote environment can:

  • Harness diverse perspectives: With virtual …

Read more…

011 - Bossware_Article cover

The Bossware Boom: Should you be monitoring employees?

Surveillance software is on the rise among employers looking to track the productivity of their remote workers— but research shows that monitoring is not an effective substitute for good management.

Why it matters

With remote work here to stay, it’s essential to consider how to keep an eye on employees who are out of sight.

Employee monitoring software has been widely accepted as a solution. As early as 2020, almost 60% of small-to-medium businesses in Australia used employee monitoring softw…

Read more…

009 collaboration_Article cover copy 2

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…

Read more…

007 1 to 1s_Article cover

Remote 1:1s are more important than you think

One-on-one meetings with your direct reports or leader are hard to get right in person and even harder online. Experience shows that omitting one-on-one meetings is riskier than you may have thought.

The 1:1 is the only forum where you can have an honest, private, conversation with each other about what’s really going on—professionally and personally.” (Austin, 2016)

Failing to use time with direct reports in a meaningful way or, worse, skipping these meetings altogether, can lead to hig…

Read more…

005 - Building trust_Article cover copy

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…

Read more…

004 Town Hall_Article cover

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

Read more…

Diagram template

Their camera isn't actually broken

The absence of faces in online meetings presents a distinct hurdle to effective communication and engagement. 1

Why it matters

  • Cameras on in meetings improves attention and enhances learning and social experiences.
  • Effective collaboration and problem solving needs to be specifically addressed in remote work environments, it doesn’t always happen naturally.

Take action

  • Not all meetings need camera on, but for the ones that do, set expectations up front
  • Give all attendees a role, they …

Read more…

002 - Firefighting_Article cover

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…

Read more…