Say, “Good Morning.”
Go ahead. Say it out loud. Oh, but say it to someone else. Preferably in the morning. In person. Or on the phone. Or even online.
If it’s later in the day, maybe you can say, “Good Afternoon.” Or “I’m going to grab a bite to eat” when you leave for lunch.
Or when you want feedback on an idea, simply ask, “Gotta minute?”
Face-to-face — keyboard-to-keyboard — whatever it takes. Human interactions are the glue that keeps us all grounded and helps us get work done. And these days more than ever, more of us are getting more work done remotely.
Collaboration platforms, video conferencing, social networks — even our phones — these are the tools that keep us connected and empowered, wherever we roam in today’s fluid world of work.
These technologies help us plan and problem solve more efficiently than ever. Of course, they can also help us interrupt and disrupt workflows. It may be harder to be a dreaded “gotta-minute” goblin when you work from home, but it still happens.
So seriously. Gotta minute? Because it’s those disruptive, frictionless human connections, those moments when we’re relating to one another personally and professionally – that’s what keep us moving forward, together. The connections may be virtual, but the results are real .
As we explored the virtual work frontier this week with #TChat guest Mike Hostetler , Founder and CEO of appendTo , two core themes emerged :
1) Be yourself: Whether you operate from home or a centralized office, it’s essential to “show up” and be authentic. Acknowledge me throughout the day. Keep me in the loop on the good, the bad and the ugly — and don’t be afraid to tell me why. That’s the stuff that binds us in a common mission, even through rough times. Paychecks are great, but there’s no substitute for genuine human connection and shared purpose .
2) See yourself: When you work virtually, don’t forget that, in the eyes of your colleagues and managers, you’re part of something larger than yourself. It’s smart to invest in that context. It may mean periodic in-person visits to the headquarters “mothership,” or catching up at conferences and training events, or even regular (perhaps awkward) team video conferences . It may not always be fun, but the effort can make a big difference in the quality of your performance and your team’s results.
So let’s learn from the wisdom of our talent-minded crowd, and let’s stay connected. OK?
“Good morning, #TCha t. How are you doing today?”
#TChat Week-In-Review: Remote Work Continues to Rise
SAT 1/11:
Watch the #TChat Preview hangout
#TChat Preview: TalentCulture Community Manager, Tim McDonald , framed the week’s topic in a post featuring a “sneak peek” hangout with guest, Mike Hostetler , Founder and CEO of appendTo . See the #TChat Preview now: “Virtual Workplace? For Real! ”
SUN 1/12:
Forbes.com Post: TalentCulture CEO, Meghan M. Biro discussed what’s at stake for leaders as the future of work becomes increasingly virutal. Read “Telecommuting Is The Future Of Work. ”
RECENT RELATED POSTS:
“Telecommuting: 5 Ways Companies Benefit ” by Daniel Newman
“Telecommuting Tools: What’s Your Plan? ” by Dr. Nancy Rubin
WED 1/15:
Listen now to the #TChat Radio replay
#TChat Radio : Hosts Meghan M. Biro , and Kevin W. Grossman talked with entrepreneur Mike Hostetler about what it takes to create and sustain successful virtual teams. Listen to the #TChat Radio replay…
#TChat Twitter: Immediately following the radio show, Meghan, Kevin and Mike joined the TalentCulture community on the #TChat Twitter stream for a dynamic open conversation, centered on 5 related questions. See highlights in the Storify slideshow below:
#TChat Insights: Virtual Workplace? For Real!
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Closing Notes & What’s Ahead
GRATITUDE: Thanks again to Mike Hostetler for sharing your perspectives on creating and managing remote teams. We value your time, your thoughtful ideas and your expertise!
NOTE TO BLOGGERS: Did this week’s events prompt you to write about remote workgroups? We welcome your thoughts. Post a link on Twitter (include #TChat or @TalentCulture ), or insert a comment below, and we’ll pass it along.
WHAT’S AHEAD: Our month of forward-thinking #TChat Events continues on Wednesday, January 22, when China Gorman , CEO at Great Place To Work, reveals emerging trends in employment practices , with illustrations from Fortune Magazine’s recently announced “2014 Best Companies To Work For ” list. See the #TChat Radio preview now.
Meanwhile, the TalentCulture conversation continues daily on the #TChat Twitter stream, our LinkedIn discussion group. and elsewhere on social media. So join us anytime — don’t be shy.
We’ll see you on the stream!
Image Credit: Stock.xchng
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