The power of connection between managers and teams will steady the ship and provide the right environment for workers to thrive during upheaval and uncertainty.
We want to help you stay moving in a forward direction in these difficult times. To support you we are sharing information and content to help you connect with your team!
-Vivo Team
9 Tips for Running a Virtual Meeting
Suddenly, some or all of your teams are working remotely—many of whom are not experienced doing so! What now?
By agreeing to a set of meeting behaviours, teams increase productivity and engagement significantly. Just because it's obvious to you doesn't mean it is to everyone. Get your team on the same page! Here is a video and handout for you to share with your team:
Interview: It’s the 21st century, we have the technology to do things better! Renee Safrata, CEO & Founder of Vivo Team and David Wentworth, Principal Analyst at Brandon Hall Group discuss the current state of learning technology.
Welcome to our new series, Ask Dr. Jim, where you can send in your questions around leadership, manager connection, or working on a team and get expert advice from Vivo Team's EVP of People Analytics & Talent Activation (PLUS trainer, team facilitator, executive coach, mentor, and more), Dr. Jim Sellner, PhD. DipC.
What About Work?
Dear Dr. Jim, What's happening? My work from home employees are posting on Facebook all day about cleaning their closets out, baking bread, and even grouting the bathroom.
- Lisa*
Hey Lisa,
Our job as leaders and managers is to stay checked in and connected with our teams and the bigger picture. I would plan a virtual team meeting and say: I notice a lot of you are cleaning out your closets and baking bread. I'm a bit concerned about how that's affecting your work. Do you have what you need? Help me out! You'll probably find that people are organizing their days differently. I've been working remotely for 15 years and I will work a couple hours here, go for a run, work again, do an errand, work a bit in the evening, etc. That's what works for me and my productivity. Always be aware of what's going on by checking in with your team often instead of making assumptions.
- Dr. Jim
The Bigger Picture
Dear Dr. Jim,
I'm feeling disconnected from the bigger picture of the organization, I imagine many others are as well. How can I better connect with my team and my work? What is it all for!?!
- Jeff*
Hi Jeff,
Great question! It's always good to have clarity in terms of what we are doing, why we are doing it, and how that contributes to the success of the organization. The first thing you could do is ask your manager one-on-one, or you suggest a team meeting to discuss how what we are doing—and why we are doing it—fits into the larger picture of the organization. Explain that a better understanding and clearer picture will help you stay motivated and productive! Hopefully they will be willing to do that and you can get together virtually have a conversation that will get everybody clear and in the same boat, all moving in the same direction.
