At our recent virtual event, Michelle Rushton from People of Influence spoke about how remote teams can use current challenges to become more high performing.
Speaking to a group of HR leaders, Michelle pointed out that the abrupt change to remote working is an opportunity to reset teams’ ways of working, impetus to finally address pre-existing challenges within a team and/or address head-on the potential challenges of remote working, instead using them as a means to accelerate a team’s performance.
To assist participants to think more deeply about diagnosing their current team, Michelle gave everyone access to a version of their proprietary “Teams That Work” Diagnostic Assessment, and each participant was sent a report on their results. She also introduced their “Teams That Work” model. People of Influence use their diagnostic and model in combination to design interventions (such as a series of virtual team off-sites) for their clients.
Michelle shared the focus areas she sees as being the most high-leverage for remote teams under current conditions. She gave practical suggestions for each that leaders and teams could implement immediately. A couple of the strategies that resonated were:
- At the end of a team video call, put everyone into Breakout Rooms to answer the question: “What needs to be said that hasn’t been said?” When reporting back, keep responses anonymous. In this way, leaders can create space for candour and welcome the candour when it comes.
- Create shared accountability for team connection and team commitment. Don’t assume the leader should be checking in with everyone (though that’s important too!). Set up structures for team members to check in on each other at a personal level, but also to hold them account for progress goals they shared in their morning meeting. For example, this week Simon and Sarah have a 10 min video call at 4pm daily to check in with each other.
Thank you to Michelle and People of Influence for your engaging and practical presentation, and to everyone who attended the event. If you would like access to the recording and resources from the event, please email: michelle@peopleofinfluence.com.au
