Transform your remote meetings into extraordinary ones with the Breakthrough Principles for working remotely outlined below (also available as a download here).
1. SET WEEKLY OUTCOMES
Outcome
Ensure that alignment and productivity remains consistent when working remotely by setting clear, tangible outcomes for yourself and your team.
When: Every Monday morning
Who: Entire team
Delivery
Before the meeting, ask everyone to generate and post their key outcomes as they see them, for the week. When working remotely, these can be easily set via communication platforms like Slack or Monday, or even email, where each person shares a list of their outcomes for that week. You’ll then talk through these together as a team so that you are all aligned and can spot if anything is missing.
Ask yourself:
- Am I being clear in my language?
- Are there any knowledge gaps that need clarifying to my team?
- What help do I need from my colleagues to achieve these outcomes and have I expressed this with them?
- Are people focusing on the right priorities?
2. SET MEETINGS WITH PURPOSE
Outcome
Reflect on what meetings make sense to achieve the weekly outcomes you have set for yourself.
Working remotely serves as an important reminder of the simple things we take for granted, like walking over to your team member’s desk to ask a question.
With this important form of communication missing, it will be tempting for some organisations to attempt to fill this gap by having more meetings than usual.
Resist this temptation.
Instead, endeavour to have meetings with a distinct purpose.
Ask yourself:
- What aspects of my role require a collaborative effort?
Note these down and decide which of these can be resolved through ad-hoc calls and which require regular in-depth discussion.
3. CHOOSE VIDEO CALLS OVER AUDIO
Outcome
Video calling through Zoom, Facetime, Skype or other means is the closest you will get to in-person exchanges and will allow you and your team to continue collaborating on an efficient level.
Most communication is known to happen via subtle non-verbal cues like facial expressions and gestures. Omitting these will increase the chance of misunderstandings.
Videos will also ensure that you and your team members are fully focused and fully attentive to the conversation.
Top Tip: The same goes for interactions in your personal life. Being able to connect with someone visually who may be isolated makes a huge difference above-and-beyond a simple audio call. We believe in physical distancing, not isolation.
4. GOSSIP SUCCESS
Outcome
In a period of uncertainty and physical isolation, focusing on individual and team achievements, no matter how small, is critical for boosting morale and giving a sense of direction.
When: Every Wednesday & Friday afternoon
Who: Entire team
Block out a 20 minute bi-weekly meeting in your calendar where you and your team each Gossip Success about their personal and team member’s achievements. Remember: bring energy and enthusiasm to this Power Time remote meeting.
5. BE A LEADER, MANAGER & COACH
Outcome
Support your team
When: weekly
Who: each of your direct reports, individually
Leading through change and uncertainty requires you to step-up as a leader. It’s more important than ever to bring reassurance, clarity and direction. Additionally, ensure that you are coaching your direct reports who may be experiencing concerns, ill-health, or anxiety.
Schedule a call with a different direct report each day. Check-in on their physical and mental health. Use your Power Listening skills. Give them the space to vent, celebrate, raise concerns, or gain clarity!
Top Tip: See our Top Tips for Giving Feedback Virtually here.
6. ORGANISE TEAM SOCIALS
Outcome
Teamship to build your Line of One. Stress relief.
When: Once a week
Who: Entire team
Even if it’s just a virtual coffee break, or ‘after work drinks’ where everyone comes together virtually at the end of the week to chat over their favourite beverage, block out an hour once a week to relax with your team.
This may or may not have been a practice in your usual work routine, but it is a higher priority now while working remotely as normal social events are being cancelled.
7. WEEKLY ROUND-UP
Outcome
Over-communication and alignment.
When: Ongoing throughout the week
Who: Entire team
Dedicate time to list out the week’s outcomes using a collaborative tool like Google Docs. Implement each team member’s individual weekly outcomes into this.
Keep this updated throughout the week to ensure that everyone is on the same page.
Top Tip: Dedicate one member of the team to remind everyone on Friday to fill in all their updates.
DAILY FRAMEWORK FOR WORKING REMOTELY
MORNING
Wake up at the same time you would usually for your commute
Avoid turning on the news when you wake up
Instead meditate or do yoga for 5-10 minutes
Get dressed as you would for work (no pyjamas!)
Dedicate time to read or listen to a podcast to replace your commute
Start your work day with a 10-minute daily stand up meeting with your team to check in on each other’s priorities and ensure that everyone is aligned
Work on emails
AFTERNOON
Make lunch and enjoy with your family, away from work
Video call relatives or check in on your neighbours
Calls with stakeholders
Call a different direct report every day to coach and support + wellbeing check
EVENING
Capture what you’ve accomplished – reflect on your mindset
Exercise
Designate a limited time window to catch up on news
Make & enjoy dinner with family
Start an indoor hobby you know will relax you
Keep up your “sleep hygiene”
Curious to learn more?
Register your interest to our upcoming Webinar about being Full On at Work and At Home, led by Breakthrough Global’s Managing Director Zannah Ryabchuk, by emailing partnerships@breakthroughglobal.com
