{"id":37326,"date":"2024-07-24T11:56:40","date_gmt":"2024-07-24T16:56:40","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/?p=37326"},"modified":"2024-07-24T11:57:25","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T16:57:25","slug":"productivity-coachs-corner-for-remote-teams-focus-on-connection-before-content","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/trainingmag.com\/productivity-coachs-corner-for-remote-teams-focus-on-connection-before-content\/","title":{"rendered":"Productivity Coach\u2019s Corner: For Remote Teams, Focus on Connection Before Content"},"content":{"rendered":"

Open your calendar and look at your upcoming meetings this week or next. Reflect on those you\u2019ll have with team members and people outside your organization and the \u201cconversations\u201d with people in your personal life.<\/p>\n

For many of us, most of these work meetings will be with people outside our physical location. We are often so busy that we don\u2019t make the time to prepare to be intentional in the next conversation we enter. Therefore, the call to action in this article is to encourage people to slow down as they enter the next deliberate connection with their teammates.<\/p>\n

Human Beingness<\/h2>\n

While remote work has become the norm for many organizations, we face a challenge: keeping remote teams engaged. One way to foster engagement for remote employees is to prioritize connection before content. As highlighted in the Harvard Business Review <\/em>article, \u201cHigh-Performing Teams Don\u2019t Leave Relationships to Chance,\u201d by Ron Friedman, creating conditions for learning about one another is crucial. One of Friedman\u2019s tips is to schedule regular, open-ended meetings that allow team members to share personal stories and experiences, thereby building deeper connections and trust within the team.<\/p>\n

Whether you\u2019ve been working remotely since the COVID era or your workplace is exploring hybrid solutions, remote environments can lack the spontaneous interactions and camaraderie of traditional office settings. However, this doesn\u2019t have to lead to isolation or disconnection. Research shows that disengaged employees result in lower productivity and performance.<\/p>\n

In my recent TEDx talk<\/a>, I spoke intentionally about the importance of fostering meaningful connections to mitigate these issues. Regularly scheduled virtual coffee breaks, teambuilding activities, and open communication channels enhance engagement and build a connected team environment.<\/p>\n

(TEDxVandenbergSFB: https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/pulse\/moments-make-difference-dr-jason-womack-hp4ke\/<\/a>)<\/p>\n

I remember during the pandemic, during my after-work reflective writing\u2014I am a big believer in journaling\u2014I wrote, \u201cToday was a hard day leading humans being.\u201d I immediately realized I\u2019d misspelled the term, but I stopped before I could correct it. I reflected on my reflection and said out loud, \u201cYou\u2019re right. It was a hard day!\u201d During those months, I knew people were having a hard time being.<\/p>\n

I practice the \u201cconnection before content\u201d approach to meetings daily. I emphasize focusing on human beingness before reviewing the agenda\u2019s tasks and objectives. Making space for personal connections in every collaboration or meeting has significantly enhanced our team dynamics and morale.<\/p>\n

Emotional Support Check-Ins<\/h2>\n

Recently, I experienced a challenging two-week period that tested our team\u2019s resilience. During that time, one member left our group to join another division, another had to put their dog to sleep, and I lost my father-in-law to the double whammy of cancer and pneumonia. Throughout these crises, my team and I prioritized personal check-ins at the start of every phone or video meeting.<\/p>\n

Moments of genuine sharing allowed us to support one another in those moments of being human. Despite our divided attention, we remained as productive as possible. The emotional support and understanding we extended during those check-ins helped us stay connected and engaged with our work. This experience reminded me of the power of small, consistent actions.<\/p>\n

These check-ins, though brief, created a lasting impact.<\/p>\n

In their book, \u201cThe Power of Moments\u201d<\/em>,<\/em> Chip and Dan Heath emphasize the importance of creating moments to elevate experiences. By intentionally designing moments of connection, such as our team check-ins, we can transform routine meetings into significant, engagement-boosting experiences. These moments don\u2019t have to be grand gestures; even small, thoughtful interactions can create a sense of belonging and significance among team members.<\/p>\n

Video meetings played a crucial role in facilitating these personal interactions. The ability to see each other\u2019s faces and read non-verbal cues added a layer of connection that audio calls or e-mails couldn\u2019t match. This visual element made our check-ins more impactful, fostering a stronger sense of empathy and camaraderie.<\/p>\n

Several innovative tools and strategies can enhance engagement in remote teams. Scheduling regular virtual coffee breaks or hosting \u201chome tours\u201d where team members share their personal spaces can build camaraderie. Virtual teambuilding activities such as collaborative online projects or creative challenges can strengthen bonds. As highlighted by Vivek Murthy in his work on the loneliness epidemic, fostering deep, meaningful connections is crucial to combating isolation. Open communication channels such as dedicated well-being check-ins encourage ongoing interaction and connection. These practices can contribute to a more connected and engaged team by maintaining momentum and encouraging continuous engagement.<\/p>\n

The Importance of Intentionality<\/h2>\n

In her book, \u201cThe Art of Gathering<\/em>,\u201d <\/em>Priya Parker emphasizes the importance of intentionality in bringing people together. My favorite section is \u201cMake Purpose Your Bouncer.\u201d By thoughtfully designing our remote interactions with a focus on human connection, we can create more meaningful and engaging experiences. I challenge you to be deliberate in the way you gather. Look for ways to create meaningful connections and improve the overall engagement of our teams.<\/p>\n

While today\u2019s workplace presents unique challenges in maintaining engagement, it also offers opportunities for intentional connection. We can transform routine meetings into powerful engagement tools by embracing strategies that prioritize personal interactions\u2014like the \u201cconnection before content\u201d approach. Regularly scheduled virtual check-ins, creative team-building activities, and fostering a culture of empathy and support are crucial. As we adapt to tomorrow\u2019s work, let\u2019s commit to nurturing these meaningful connections, ensuring our teams remain cohesive, motivated, and productive.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Making space for personal connections in every collaboration or meeting can significantly enhance team dynamics and morale.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[18],"class_list":{"0":"post-37326","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","6":"category-magazine","7":"tag-training-today","8":"magazine_issues-july-2024"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nProductivity Coach\u2019s Corner: For Remote Teams, Focus on Connection Before Content<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Making space for personal connections in every collaboration or meeting can significantly enhance team dynamics and morale.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" 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