Hier erfahren Sie, wie Sie sich auf den steigenden Bedarf an virtueller Zusammenarbeit vorbereiten können.

I love and embrace technological tools because they create fantastic avenues for innovation and collaboration. But, they are not enough in and of themselves. What comes first is creating a culture of collaboration, psychological safety, and absolute clarity about communication and collaboration protocols. If I don't feel safe sharing an untested idea with my team, no matter what channel I'm using, I'm unlikely to share it. If certain team members' ideas are always given preference, then that will discourage me from providing input, whether in an in-person meeting or via Slack. As leaders, we create a culture for collaboration to thrive through intention, conversations and inviting and valuing every person's contribution.

Na minha rotina, a adoção de sistemas de videoconferência e outras ferramentas colaborativas online no trabalho permite a quebra das barreiras geográficas, facilitando muito a conexão cultural. Isso nos leva a transcender um pensamento local para adotar uma perspectiva glocal! Muito importante para a inovação! Estou abraçando essa transformação com entusiasmo e me dedico todos os dias para mergulhar de cabeça no mundo da tecnologia. Essas inovações não só facilitam minha vida, mas também encurtam caminhos e me abrem horizontes jamais explorados antes.

Better Your Imagination for a Robust Virtual Collaboration: The evident hindrance in collaborating virtually isn't technical but more psychological. The problem of limited imaginations hampered creative thinking and open-mindedness will cause restricted partnerships. Hence, work on improving workforce outlook and culture by: 1. Collaboration Rituals like paired programming, brainstorming sessions, or co-working sessions. 2. Virtual Coffee Breaks & informal video calls. 3. Team Building Activities: Online games, quizzes, or virtual escape rooms. 4. Recognize & Celebrate achievements/milestones 7. Work Environment be flexible; offer Ergonomic Support; Mental Health Support etc

I rely on numerous tech tools to enhance our team's virtual collaboration. For real-time collaboration, Google Workspace excels with its easy interface and sharing capabilities. Miro stands out for brainstorming and ideation sessions, providing an interactive online whiteboard that brings creativity to virtual meetings. Asana helps me keep track of tasks and deadlines, and slack allows for quick, in the moment connection. These tools, combined with a commitment to fostering an open and accountable culture, empower my team to achieve outstanding results, no matter where we are located.

My experience with virtual collaboration is very positive, we live in a society where things are evolving very fast, and its important for individuals and teams to embrace technology. The hindrance might range from cultural differences, communication barriers, resource imbalances, security concerns among others. It is our collective responsibility to focus on how these hindrances can be mitigated to realize the full benefits of virtual collaboration across all areas.

Understand that people share and take in knowledge in different ways. Making use of chat, break outs, presentations and Q and A all help . Ensure you allow time for silent reflection too within a meeting- however brief. You don't need to fill all the time with sound.

Great lighting and if you are not tech savvy invest in someone who is to run your meetings. That way they get to do what they are experts at so you get to do what you are an expert at. Invest in good lighting, make sure your hands can be seen and practise distances if you are using digital backdrops.

I try to make sure each meeting has an agenda so we have structure and trust. I also allowed team members to add talking points they would like to add so it's not just me always leading. Additionally, I try to change up meetings so it does not always feel like an update meeting but rather opportunities for teach back and education.

Empathize and Not Sympathize: Most of us mistake between these two homophones. Whilst latter may be superficial, former cannot. Some suggestions to help build rapport virtually: 1. Regular and open Communication. 2. Develop and Express Empathy. 3. Use custom virtual backgrounds that reflect personal interests or hobbies. 4. Give Full Attention during virtual meetings and minimizing distractions. 5. Reflect and respond by paraphrasing what others say to show understanding and engagement. 6. Ask Questions to show interest by asking questions and encouraging others to share more. 7. Build Trust: Be reliable and consistent, following through on commitments and being transparent in your communication

Building rapport in virtual collaboration is essential to create trust, enhance communication, and foster a positive working environment. Rapport can be developed by regularly engaging in video calls, where non-verbal cues can be observed, and by incorporating informal conversations to humanise interactions. Sharing personal interests and celebrating team achievements also contribute to a sense of camaraderie. Effective rapport reduces misunderstandings, increases team cohesion, and boosts morale, all of which lead to higher productivity and successful project outcomes in a virtual setting.

Clear communication is no doubt the backbone of effective virtual collaboration, however it is important to have clear boundaries, for that to happen.Boundaries are essential to maintaining efficiency and well-being. Defining work hours and response time expectations helps manage availability across time zones, while designating specific channels for different types of communication ensures clarity. Respecting off-hours and encouraging regular breaks prevents burnout, and establishing meeting norms keeps interactions productive. Clear communication of personal boundaries allows team members to balance work and life, fostering a respectful and healthy virtual work environment.

ABC of Communication: 1. Accuracy - Be more factual, less interpretational. Grant everyone their due and when we infer, we corrupt the actual meaning of content with our biases. 2. Brevity - Verbosity kills the content and hence ensure use of minimal words to express the meaning, magnitude, intensity and urgency of communication. 3. Clarity - Be crisp and transparent in communication. Don't use floral language and cosmetic vocabulary, rather follow KISS (Keep it Simple and Serene) 4. Appropriate Channels - email, instant messaging, video call etc based on content's urgency & nature. 5. Respect Time Zones 6. Establish Response Time 7. Maintain a professional and respectful tone in all communication.

Do all stakeholders know where things are? Normalise looking in specific places first. Working from the cloud is great tool but establishing clear guidelines and. expectations for information and updated versions can save the pain of the “current” version being offline on someones hard drive.

To set norms for virtual collaboration, a group should have an initial meeting to define objectives, communication protocols, roles and expectations, ensuring inclusivity and alignment with group goals. Regular feedback should be established to review and adjust norms, fostering an open and respectful environment. It is important to document the agreed-upon norms.

When creating team norms or when new employees join the team, it's imperative to set up time for getting to know one another. Even possibly filling out a document on how you like to communicate and want to be communicated with. This can help with issues that may arise and hold individuals accountable.

It's important to start with accessibility at all costs so everyone can participate. You also need to take in account time off and create ways for anonymous feedback tools or collection if individuals cannot join the live sessions. To practice psychological safety, it is important to again create anonymous options or a way to share if it's coming from someone in particular. It's beneficial to stay away from round robin activities that put individuals on the spot and does not make them safe.

The Chain is as Strong as the Weakest Link: The problem of collaborating virtually is that the lesser assertive participants are left out, even if they are outstanding workers. Some suggestions for their inclusion: 1. Use Inclusive Language: Avoid jargon, idioms, and slang that might not be understood by everyone. 2. Use gender-neutral language and be mindful of cultural differences. 3. Rotate Meeting Times: If team is spread across time zones, rotate meeting times to ensure that no one is consistently inconvenienced. 4. Accessibility: Ensure all communication tools and documents are accessible to everyone, including those with disabilities. Provide captions for video meetings and consider the use of screen reader-friendly documents.

Ensure that everyone is able to access the platforms you use as well as the documentation. Documents should all be ADA compliant and meet 508 accessibility standards such as alt text. Ensure they platform you use provides ways for everyone to participate. Some people may need to only use the chat to communicate, while others will need to have a recording of the meeting so they can review it later.

You can prepare for virtual collaboration and foster inclusion by turning your content and ideas into compelling visual models. Visual models and metaphors bypass communication barriers, create an emotional connection to your ideas, and create a shared understanding. They also encourage collaborative problem solving. Consider ways that you can get your collaborators or participants working hands on approach to challenges: Draw your challenge, visualise ideal future possibility, create a map of how we will get there. Visuals create connection

Inclusion isn't just a buzzword – it's the key to unlocking the full potential of your team. How are you fostering an environment where everyone feels valued, heard, and empowered to contribute their unique perspectives? #inclusion #diversity #workplaceculture

Continuous learning is crucial for adapting to virtual collaboration. It's important to seek opportunities to enhance communication, leadership, and technical skills. This could involve taking online courses, participating in webinars, or practicing these skills in real-world settings. By committing to ongoing development, individuals will be better equipped to navigate the complexities of virtual teamwork.

There are always SO many incredible ways to not only enhance your skills in the area of tech and virtual communication, but to enhance your career and overall life experience, too. I'm not sure who said it, but I love the following quote, "the answers you are seeking are in the work you're avoiding." I'm not suggesting you go do something that makes you feel uncomfortable; I AM suggesting that sometimes, in order to get comfortable with something you may have to be a little uncomfortable first. And it might not be easy, but ask for help; someone is passionate about answering your questions! You can also check out resources like those available ( for FREE) from Google skillshop. Search, "skillshop," in the Google search bar. Enjoy!

Virtual collaboration definitely fosters inclusivity. Employees are always just a fingertip away from work-related updates, keeping them informed of any changes. Regular online meetings provide a platform where everyone has a voice, an opinion, and a chance to share creative suggestions. These meetings are ideal for discussing work matters, tackling issues, and holding fair votes on important decisions. However, a great leader is essential to run these meetings effectively, keeping the team motivated and engaged. This inclusive approach ensures that all employees feel valued and supported, contributing to a more productive work environment.

Pour gérer l'agilité, il est bien d'appliquer les points suivants : 1. Communication claire et régulière : - Utiliser des outils de communication instantanée (comme Slack, Teams) pour les échanges rapides. - Planifier des réunions régulières en visioconférence. 2. Utilisation d’outils de gestion de projet : - Adopter des plateformes comme Jira, Trello. - Assurer la transparence sur l’avancement des tâches et les priorités. 3. Favoriser la collaboration et l'engagement : - Encourager le travail en binôme. - Mettre en place des canaux de feedback. 4. Gestion du temps et des fuseaux horaires : - Être conscient des différents fuseaux horaires. - Utiliser des outils de gestion du temps

Staying agile and adaptable is key to thriving in a virtual collaboration landscape. It's essential to be prepared to pivot strategies, embrace new tools, and adjust communication styles as needed. The digital world evolves rapidly, and the ability to keep pace with these changes will determine success in collaborating virtually. Therefore, it's important to embrace the fluidity of the online environment and use it to one's advantage.

Encourage team members to share new ideas, new tools etc, maybe even a show and tell occasionally. Have checkins as people are learning new tools, asking how they are doing, maybe pair them with a more seasoned user, have a tech coach on call.

Absolutely, staying agile and adaptable is crucial for thriving in virtual collaboration. Leverage technology effectively, set clear expectations, and foster open communication. Building personal relationships and staying organized are key. Be flexible and ready to adjust your approach, hold regular check-ins, and continuously learn to stay updated with digital trends. These strategies will enhance your virtual collaboration and drive your team towards success.

Document and Grow: In armed forces, we document every action, even in harsh and uncongenial field conditions. This ensures we learn, train and grow in the organization by evolving from previous state of functioning. As quite a handsome amount of work takes place virtually owing to the distances, empathy and trust ensures we collaborate effectively.

Consider having a team, if possible, with at least one person working behind the scenes during the virtual meeting. This person can address any issues that arise while you continue facilitating. Many glitches can be resolved without interrupting the meeting, and guess what, “your participants might not even notice”😅

Leadership must recognize that what works in-person can not be the same standard for virtual work. I have seen many companies take the best practice of in person work into remote environments and that’s like the idiom putting a square peg in a round hole. If anything, the Great Resignation of 2021-2023 has taught us that quick fixes don’t last long. Listening to the needs of the employees means a collaborative work environment- and by that I mean each employee. Gone are the times of sub-standard working relationships.

Having a plan B is vital, or at least considering what you would do WHEN tech fails. Things like mic issues, laptops freezing, or cameras not working can throw off an otherwise well prepared victualling interaction particularly if there is a larger audience. Having backups where feasible or knowing what to say and on what channels of a stream goes done can make a big difference.

Building a sense of team spirit and camaraderie in a virtual setting is essential. Encourage team members to engage in virtual team-building activities, such as online games, virtual lunches, or regular check-ins to foster a sense of connection and unity. Strong relationships among team members can enhance collaboration and productivity in a remote work environment..